 lasius is a genus of formicine ants. the type species for this genus is the black garden ant, lasius niger. other major members, which live in drier heathland, are the cornfield ant, l. neoniger, and l. alienus. other species include the temporary social parasites of the l. mixtus group and the hyper-social parasite lasius fuliginosus. lasius flavus is also a commonly seen species, building grassy hillocks in undisturbed pasture. in the alps, these mounds - always aligned east to catch the first rays of the rising sun - have been traditionally used by goatherds as natural compasses. ==moisture ants== many lasius species, known collectively as "moisture ants" in the united states, make their nests in and around moist rotting wood as well as under rocks. they can infest buildings, particularly foundation forms in contact with soil, becoming a minor nuisance. they are not considered a structural threat b
Ant_genera Formicinae