{"product_id":"lasius-brevicornis-queen-colony","title":"Lasius brevicornis – Short-horned Meadow Ant Queen \/ Colony","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e is rated as a beginner-friendly species and is one of the more forgiving native Canadian ants available to new keepers. The colony develops at a steady, predictable pace, and its tolerant nature means minor husbandry mistakes are unlikely to be catastrophic. The option to keep multiple queens in a single colony also gives keepers more flexibility in how they approach founding and growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent first ant if you are new to the hobby and want a native Canadian species that rewards attentive but relaxed care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e, commonly known as the Short-horned Meadow Ant, is a small to medium-sized ant native to eastern North America, including much of Canada. Dark brown to nearly black in colouration, it closely resembles other members of the \u003cem\u003eLasius\u003c\/em\u003e genus but is distinguished by its polygynous colony structure and its preference for open, meadow-type habitats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a native species, \u003cem\u003eL. brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e is well adapted to Canadian climate conditions, including the cold winters that make annual diapause a natural and important part of its life cycle. Colonies establish reliably and grow into impressive, active communities over time, particularly when multiple queens are maintained together from the start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor keepers looking for a native ant that offers real colony development, manageable care requirements, and the added interest of polygynous dynamics, \u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e is a strong choice at any experience level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Behaviour\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e workers are moderately active and display steady, purposeful movement rather than the erratic bursts seen in more aggressive species. The colony maintains consistent behaviour throughout the active season, making it easy to observe and monitor without frequent disturbance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species is not aggressive and handles well even under light disturbance. Workers are unlikely to bite or sting and tend to respond to perceived threats by retreating rather than mounting a defence. This temperament makes \u003cem\u003eL. brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e a comfortable species to work with when performing maintenance, feeding, or setup changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn polygynous colonies, the presence of multiple queens tends to produce a calmer, more cooperative colony dynamic. Workers distribute foraging and brood care efficiently, and the overall activity level remains stable as the colony scales up in size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e requires a diet of both liquid sugars and protein. For liquid sugars, offer honey-water, sugar-water, or QNC Honey Nectar. For protein, fruit flies and peanut beetle cultures are excellent choices for young or founding colonies, as the small prey size is well matched to the workers' capacity at that stage of growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed in small amounts and remove any uneaten food promptly to prevent mould and maintain clean conditions inside the test tube or founding nest. As the colony grows, protein offerings can be increased in size and variety, but overloading the colony with food at any stage is unnecessary and counterproductive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the active season, feed consistently but do not force a large intake. A small drop of liquid sugar every few days and a protein source twice per week is generally sufficient for founding colonies. Adjust quantities as worker count increases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFounding Type\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e queens are fully claustral, meaning they seal themselves into a founding chamber and raise their first workers entirely on their internal fat reserves and metabolised wing muscles. During this founding phase, no food is required — only stable hydration from a properly set up test tube is needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo not disturb the queen during founding. Keep the test tube in a dark, stable environment at room temperature and allow her to work undisturbed until the first workers have eclosed. Interference during this period can cause the queen to abandon her eggs or brood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eColony Structure\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e is polygynous, meaning a single colony can support more than one queen simultaneously. Colonies can be founded or kept with one, two, or three queens without significant conflict, and the presence of multiple queens accelerates the colony's overall development speed considerably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe worker caste is monomorphic — all workers are the same size and perform the same range of tasks. There are no soldier or major morphs. This simplicity in colony structure makes \u003cem\u003eL. brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e straightforward to manage and easy to observe, as all colony roles are performed by generalist workers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eQueen \u0026amp; Worker Sizing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQueens measure approximately 7–8 mm in length, which is a typical size for the \u003cem\u003eLasius\u003c\/em\u003e genus. Workers are smaller, ranging from 3–4 mm, and are dark brown to black in colouration, consistent with the queen's appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe size difference between queen and workers is moderate and visible to the naked eye, making it easy to locate and monitor queens within the nest during routine observations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowth \/ Mature Colony Size\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung \u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e colonies grow at a moderate pace during the first active season, with worker numbers increasing steadily through spring and summer. Polygynous colonies — those kept with two or three queens — develop noticeably faster than single-queen colonies and will reach functional working size more quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMature colonies can reach several thousand workers, particularly in polygynous setups that have been allowed to develop through multiple active seasons. At this scale, the colony becomes a robust, dynamic system that is rewarding to observe and maintain. Expect gradual, consistent growth each year rather than rapid early explosion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDiapause \/ Hibernation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e is a temperate species that requires annual winter diapause. This is not optional — without a proper cool period, the colony's long-term health and reproductive cycles will be disrupted. Plan for 2–3 months of cooling at 5–10°C, typically beginning in late autumn when temperatures naturally begin to drop and colony activity slows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standard household refrigerator set to its warmest setting, a cool basement, or an unheated garage (where temperatures remain above freezing) are all suitable environments for diapause. Check on the colony periodically to ensure the test tube moisture level is adequate, but otherwise leave the colony undisturbed during this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter diapause, gradually return the colony to active temperatures over the course of a week or two rather than moving it directly from cold storage to a warm room. This gradual warming mimics natural spring conditions and helps the colony resume activity smoothly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperature \u0026amp; Humidity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the active season, maintain \u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e at 20–26°C. This range reflects the colony's natural temperate environment and supports healthy brood development and consistent worker activity. Avoid sustained temperatures above 28°C, which can stress the colony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmbient humidity should be kept at 50–65%, with a moisture gradient maintained within the nest. A properly prepared test tube setup will provide this gradient automatically — the cotton plug and water reservoir at the sealed end create a humid zone while the open end remains drier. As the colony moves to a formicarium, ensure the nest section has access to moisture while the outworld remains dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Setup\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBegin with the supplied hydrated test tube setup. This is the appropriate environment for a founding queen or a young colony and should remain the primary housing until a stable worker force has established. Keep the test tube in a dark, undisturbed location and resist the urge to upgrade the setup too early — ants thrive in appropriately scaled environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the colony has grown to a size where workers are actively foraging and the test tube feels crowded, transition to a small QNC founding nest. Connect the test tube to the nest and allow the colony to move on its own schedule. Do not force the move by removing the tube prematurely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the colony continues to grow through subsequent seasons, expand into a QNC modular formicarium with an outworld. The modular system allows gradual expansion in line with colony size, which is important for maintaining appropriate nest conditions and preventing the colony from feeling overwhelmed by excess space in the early stages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBest For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFirst-time ant keepers looking for a forgiving, beginner-friendly Canadian native species\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKeepers interested in polygynous colony dynamics and multi-queen founding\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAnyone who wants a native \u003cem\u003eLasius\u003c\/em\u003e that is well adapted to Canadian conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHobbyists who prefer a calm, steady colony that is easy to observe and manage\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKeepers who want reliable colony development without high-maintenance care requirements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eImportant Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAnnual winter diapause is required — plan for 2–3 months at 5–10°C each year\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKeep the test tube properly hydrated throughout the founding phase and early colony life\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eStart with an appropriately small setup and expand only as the colony grows into its space\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDo not overload the colony with food; feed small amounts and remove uneaten portions promptly\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDo not disturb the founding queen during the claustral phase before first workers appear\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eGradually warm the colony after diapause rather than moving it directly to active temperatures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1× \u003cem\u003eLasius brevicornis\u003c\/em\u003e queen or colony depending on selected variant\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1× 16 × 125 mm hydrated test tube setup with cotton plug\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eProtective bubble wrapping for shipping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Queens'N'Colonies","offers":[{"title":"1 Queen \/ Queen(s) (with eggs\/brood)","offer_id":51940462199060,"sku":null,"price":16.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 Queen \/ Queen(s) (with 1-5 workers)","offer_id":51838987436308,"sku":null,"price":24.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 Queen \/ Queen(s) (with 5-10 workers)","offer_id":51838987469076,"sku":null,"price":29.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 Queen \/ Queen(s) (with 10-25 workers)","offer_id":51838987501844,"sku":null,"price":42.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 Queen \/ Queen(s) (with 25-50 workers)","offer_id":51838987534612,"sku":null,"price":54.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 Queen \/ Queen(s) (with 50-100 workers)","offer_id":51838987567380,"sku":null,"price":94.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 Queen \/ Queen(s) (with 100-250 workers)","offer_id":51838987600148,"sku":null,"price":139.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with eggs\/brood)","offer_id":51940462231828,"sku":null,"price":27.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 1-5 workers)","offer_id":51838998642964,"sku":null,"price":37.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 5-10 workers)","offer_id":51838998708500,"sku":null,"price":44.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 10-25 workers)","offer_id":51838998774036,"sku":null,"price":59.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 25-50 workers)","offer_id":51838998839572,"sku":null,"price":74.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 50-100 workers)","offer_id":51838998905108,"sku":null,"price":129.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 100-250 workers)","offer_id":51838998970644,"sku":null,"price":189.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with eggs\/brood)","offer_id":51940462264596,"sku":null,"price":37.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 1-5 workers)","offer_id":51838998675732,"sku":null,"price":49.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 5-10 workers)","offer_id":51838998741268,"sku":null,"price":57.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 10-25 workers)","offer_id":51838998806804,"sku":null,"price":79.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 25-50 workers)","offer_id":51838998872340,"sku":null,"price":99.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 50-100 workers)","offer_id":51838998937876,"sku":null,"price":169.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 100-250 workers)","offer_id":51838999003412,"sku":null,"price":249.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0978\/5760\/1812\/files\/4f2d635c-1a6d-480a-9986-4d926ae82b38.png?v=1777060212","url":"https:\/\/www.queensncolonies.com\/products\/lasius-brevicornis-queen-colony","provider":"Queens'N'Colonies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}