Just caught a queen and need help identifying it

[SpiderGenral]

That's a Lasius Niger

[SpiderGenral]

And yes it's a queen ant but may be unfertilised so it won't lay eggs.

[Carl75]

It could be because it's winter, especially if they are a hibernating species. Even within a species there are differences I have queens (all caught 9 days ago) that have layer eggs and some have not. I think the ones without eggs are either infertile or are going to wait until after they hibernate. They seem a lot less active than my other queens.

[Carl75]

That's good that she has laid eggs. I have another queen who has just started to lay eggs.

[antscanada]

I agree, this is not Lasius niger, but probably Iridomyrmex sp. I see it a lot from people from Australia sending in photos asking for an ID. They're apparently easy to keep.

[Mdrogun]

This does not really matter but the "baby ants" you described are when the ants are in the form of an egg, larvae or pupae. I assume that you mean workers when you talk about baby ants, and workers are adult ants.

[Mdrogun]

This does not really matter but the "baby ants" you described are when the ants are in the form of an egg, larvae or pupae. I assume that you mean workers when you talk about baby ants and, workers are adult ants.