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space. Many more types of engineers tool away behind the<br />
scenes, perfecting our lives without our noticing.<br />
In nature, some ant species work as engineers, shaping and<br />
refining the environment, building connections, repairing bonds.<br />
Lasius ants are one group renowned for being superior soil<br />
engineers. A little larger than a sesame seed, Lasius (Lay-see-us)<br />
look more like regular ol’ ants than the movers and the shakers of<br />
nature. They resemble odorous house ants with slightly larger<br />
(and fuzzier) behinds, and are generally darkish brown to deep<br />
brownish-black in color. While odorous house ants move like<br />
troopers marching in line to and from their favorite foods, Lasius<br />
ants move more like my favorite Aunt Ann: deftly, but with a bit of<br />
a waddle, probably owing a bit to those fuller fannies.<br />
Two Lasius species are commonly found in New York City: the<br />
cornfield ant (Lasius neoniger) and Lasius alienus (no common<br />
name yet). All Lasius species have only one queen per colony and<br />
prefer to nest in soil in open areas or under logs and stones.<br />
Oftentimes, their nests look like little volcanoes popping up<br />
across grassy areas, and, since one nest can have many<br />
entrances, they can look like an erupting mountain range<br />
spreading out across the landscape.<br />
Lasius ants are often the most abundant ant species on golf<br />
courses, happily setting up shop in the expansive open habitat<br />
that seems tailor-made just for them. These ants’ abodes get<br />
them into trouble with golfers, who would prefer their putting<br />
Excavated soil outside a Lasius neoniger nest entrance resembles a little<br />
volcano. - © Alex Wild<br />
greens smooth and free of ant-made speed bumps. But<br />
researchers studying Lasius show that when exterminators try to<br />
smooth the greens by poisoning Lasius ants, more destructive<br />
golf course pests like Japanese beetle larvae and cutworms<br />
thrive.<br />
In addition to the rolling green, Lasius ants love golf courses<br />
because they love sugar. Yes, these pristine courses may be free<br />
of half-eaten Snickers bars—but Lasius ants have their eyes on a<br />
different type of sugary treat: chubby, sugar-making insects called<br />
root aphids who slurp away at underground grass roots. Lasius<br />
ants show off their extra-engineering talents as farmers and<br />
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