Let’s have a little fun, a little learning and a little YIKES! today with the YELLOW MEADOW ANT:

Common to Central Europe, the Yellow Meadow Ant is also found in North America, North Africa and Asia.

As you may have guessed, the Yellow Meadow Ant is yellow, but its color shades vary into brown, too.  The Worker Yellow Meadow Ant is anywhere from 2 – 5 mm, but the Queen ranges from 7 – 9 mm.  Both the Queen and the male Yellow Meadow Ant are a slightly darker yellow-color.

Colonies of Yellow Meadow Ants are formed by many Queens, but when a colony becomes well established, the Queens are killed until only one Queen is left.  YIKES! The Yellow Meadow Ant nest is built almost entirely underground, in meadows, grasslands and lawns… and sometimes under large rocks.

The Yellow Meadow Ant feeds on aphids and aphid honeydew.  (That’s a YEAH!)

Introduce your kids and grandkids to the illusive Yellow Meadow Ant.  Because of its subterranean habits, it may be difficult to find one… but it’s certainly interesting to study. The fights among the Queens are one tidbit your kids are sure to remember!

Join me here each day in June for JUNE BUGS on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids! – a little fun, a little learning and a little YIKES!