Question 1

Can I keep Lasius longaevus ants?

Accepted Answer

No. Lasius longaevus is an extinct species known only from 18-million-year-old fossils found in Croatia. No living specimens exist, so it cannot be kept in captivity.

Question 2

Are there living Lasius ants I can keep?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Several living Lasius species are available in the antkeeping hobby. Lasius niger (black garden ant), Lasius flavus (yellow meadow ant), and Lasius americanus are all common, beginner-friendly species.

Question 3

How do I know if an ant species is extinct?

Accepted Answer

Extinct ant species are typically marked with a dagger symbol (†) in scientific literature and databases. They are known only from fossil records and no living populations exist. Always verify a species exists in the wild before attempting to acquire it.

Question 4

What did Lasius longaevus look like?

Accepted Answer

Based on fossil impressions, Lasius longaevus queens were 3.8-6.7mm long with wings nearly as long as their body. They had a head slightly wider than long and antennae slightly longer than their head. The overall shape was similar to modern Lasius species like Lasius flava.

Question 5

Where were Lasius longaevus fossils found?

Accepted Answer

All known specimens come from the Radoboj fossil site in Croatia, which dates to approximately 18.2 million years ago during the Early Miocene epoch.

Question 6

What is the oldest ant species that can be kept?

Accepted Answer

No fossil ants can be kept, they are extinct. The oldest living ant species would be those belonging to ancient lineages, but all ants in the hobby today are extant species. Some primitive genera like Amblyopone, Myrmecia, and Dinoponera are considered ancient lineages, but they are still living species.

Question 7

Do fossil ants ever come back to life?

Accepted Answer

No. Fossils are mineralized impressions in rock, not preserved biological material. DNA cannot be extracted and used to resurrect extinct species like in science fiction. The ants that became fossils decomposed millions of years ago, leaving only stone impressions.

Question 8

What's the difference between Lasius longaevus and Lasius niger?

Accepted Answer

Lasius longaevus is an extinct Miocene fossil species. Lasius niger is a living species you can keep as a pet. They are related (same genus) but separated by approximately 18 million years of evolution. Lasius niger is found across Europe and is one of the most common beginner ants in the hobby.

Question 9

Where is Lasius longaevus found?

Accepted Answer

Lasius longaevus is found in 1 countries, including Croatia.

Question 10

What is the colony form of Lasius longaevus?

Accepted Answer

The colony form of Lasius longaevus is not specified.

Question 11

How do I cite AntScout data?

Accepted Answer

To cite this documentation, use: AntScout. (2026). Lasius longaevus Species Profile. Retrieved from https://antscout.com/species/lasius-longaevus

Lasius longaevus

Lasius longaevus Overview

No caresheet needed

No specimens available

Literature

Not applicable