Scientific illustration of Lasius tebessae ant - showing key identification features including head, thorax, and gaster.

Lasius tebessae

Monogynous Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Lasius tebessae
Tribe
Lasiini
Subfamily
Formicinae
Author
Seifert, 1992
Distribution
Found in 1 countries
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Introduction

Lasius tebessae is a medium-sized ant belonging to the Lasius niger clade, closely related to Lasius emarginatus . Workers are relatively large for the genus , though precise body length measurements are not published. Queens are also large based on related species. This species is forest-dwelling, found in the Mediterranean region from North Morocco through Algeria to Israel, typically at elevations between 888 and 1750 meters. It inhabits oak, pine, and spruce forests, as well as open pastures with scattered trees . What makes this species interesting is its limited distribution and specialized habitat. Unlike many widespread Lasius species, L. tebessae is tied to higher elevation forested areas with moderate to cool temperatures. It was formally described as a separate species in 1992 , having previously been confused with L. emarginatus. This makes it a good species for keepers interested in something more unusual than common L. niger.

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Status by country, from Kass et al. 2022 & Wong et al. 2023

Native Invasive Introduced (indoor) Intercepted Unknown
Data Sources
Year Range 2000 - 2026

Quick Summary

  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Origin & Habitat: North Africa and Middle East – found from North Morocco (34.915°N) to East Algeria (35.400°N,8.117°E) and the Judean Hills in Israel. Inhabits forests at elevations 888–1750 m, including Quercus ilex (oak), Pinus halepensis (pine), and Picea (spruce) forests, as well as open pastures with scattered trees [2][4][5].
  • Colony Type: Likely single-queen (monogyne) based on related Lasius species, but not directly confirmed for L. tebessae [1].
  • Size & Growth:
    • Queen: Total length not recorded in available literature. Inferred from related Lasius species, queens estimated at approximately 6–8 mm (inferred).
    • Worker: Total length not recorded. Workers described as having 'rather large absolute size' [2] but body length not given. Estimated from related species at roughly 3.5–4 mm (inferred).
    • Colony: Unknown for this species. Based on related L. emarginatus and typical Lasius patterns, colonies likely reach several thousand workers over several years.
    • Growth: Moderate – based on typical Lasius development patterns.
    • Development: Estimated 6–8 weeks at optimal temperature, based on data from related Lasius species. No species-specific studies exist. (Development time is inferred from typical Lasius patterns. Expect similar timing to L. emarginatus and other temperate Lasius.)
  • Antkeeping:
    • Temperature: Based on high-elevation forest habitat, room temperature (20–24°C) is suitable. Avoid temperatures above 28°C as they come from cool mountain forests [2].
    • Humidity: Keep the nest substrate moderately moist, similar to a forest floor. Avoid waterlogging. Provide a moisture gradient so ants can choose [3].
    • Diapause: Likely yes. This species inhabits temperate latitudes with cold winters. Provide a winter rest of 3–4 months at 5–10°C, following typical Lasius patterns [2].
    • Nesting: Y-tong (AAC) or plaster nests work well. A naturalistic setup with some soil substrate can mimic their forest habitat.
  • Behavior: Generally peaceful and non-aggressive, typical of Lasius. Workers forage actively and use formic acid spray as defense. They do not sting. Escape risk is moderate, standard barriers (fluon) are sufficient.
  • Common Issues: Temperature sensitivity – they prefer cooler conditions and may struggle above 28°C., Diapause is inferred – incorrectly skipping hibernation could weaken or kill the colony., Founding success rates are unknown due to limited study, so queen loss during claustral founding is a risk., Colony growth details are undocumented, requiring careful observation and adjustment of care.

Housing and Nest Setup

Lasius tebessae does well in standard ant keeping setups. A Y-tong (AAC) nest works excellently – these provide good humidity control and allow you to observe the colony easily. Plaster or earth nests are also suitable, especially if you want a more naturalistic setup that mimics their forest floor habitat. Given their forest origins, they appreciate having some soil or substrate in all or part of the outworld that can hold moisture. Test tubes can work for founding queens but plan to move the colony to a proper nest once workers emerge. The colony will need an outworld for foraging – a simple plastic container with fluon-coated edges works well. Provide a water tube and honey feeder in the outworld [2].

Feeding and Diet

Like other Lasius species, L. tebessae is omnivorous with a preference for sugar sources. Offer sugar water, honey, or diluted maple syrup as a constant food source. They also readily accept protein in the form of small insects (fruit flies, small crickets, mealworms) and will collect honeydew if you have live plants with aphids. Feed protein 2–3 times per week, and keep sugar water available at all times. This species is a typical Lasius forager – workers will establish trails to food sources and communicate with nestmates. Remove uneaten prey after 24–48 hours to prevent mold.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

This species prefers cooler conditions than many common ants. Keep the nest area at 20–24°C, avoiding temperatures above 28°C. Room temperature is often ideal. As a species from higher elevation Mediterranean forests (888–1750 m), they are adapted to cooler, more temperate conditions [2]. During winter (roughly November to February in the Northern Hemisphere), provide a diapause period at 5–10°C. A simple way is to place the colony in an unheated garage or basement during winter. Do not feed during diapause but keep the nest slightly moist. Return to normal temperatures gradually in spring.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Lasius tebessae exhibits typical Lasius behavior – workers are active foragers that form distinct trails. They are not aggressive and pose no real threat to keepers. The colony will grow moderately fast once established, with the queen laying eggs continuously during the warm season. Workers live for several months to a year, and the colony will gradually replace its workforce. Unlike some ants, they do not have a painful sting – their main defense is formic acid spraying. The species is not known for being particularly escape-prone, but standard precautions (fluon barriers) should still be used [1].

Finding and Acquiring Colonies

This is one of the more challenging aspects of keeping Lasius tebessae – the species is not commonly available in the antkeeping hobby. You may need to find a breeder who has propagated this species or catch a queen during nuptial flights. The flight season is not well documented but likely occurs during late summer or early fall, similar to other Lasius species in the region. If you catch a founding queen, provide her with a test tube setup with water through a cotton plug, and place it in a dark, quiet location until workers emerge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lasius tebessae a good species for beginners?

Not ideal for complete beginners – this is a harder species to find and less documented than common Lasius niger. If you have kept other Lasius species successfully, this makes a nice intermediate-level species to try.

How long does it take for Lasius tebessae queens to raise their first workers?

Based on typical Lasius development, expect 6–8 weeks from egg to first worker at room temperature. The exact timing for this species has not been documented but is likely similar to related species.

What temperature do Lasius tebessae need?

Keep them at 20–24°C. They prefer cooler conditions than many tropical ants and may struggle above 28°C. Room temperature is typically ideal [2].

Do Lasius tebessae need hibernation?

Yes, likely a 3–4 month winter rest period at 5–10°C. This matches their natural habitat at higher elevations in North Africa and Middle East [2].

Can I keep multiple Lasius tebessae queens together?

Not recommended. This is likely a single-queen species like most Lasius s.str. Combining unrelated queens has not been studied and would likely result in fighting.

How big do Lasius tebessae colonies get?

Likely several thousand workers over several years, based on related species patterns. The exact maximum size for this species has not been documented.

What do Lasius tebessae eat?

They are omnivorous – offer sugar water, honey, or maple syrup constantly, plus small insects (fruit flies, small crickets, mealworms) 2–3 times per week.

Where is Lasius tebessae found in the wild?

North Africa (Morocco, Algeria) and the Middle East (Israel). They live in forests at higher elevations (888–1750 m), typically in oak, pine, and spruce forests [2][4][5].

Is Lasius tebessae invasive anywhere?

No. This species has a limited natural distribution in North Africa and the Middle East and has not been documented as invasive in other regions [4].

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References

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