Common Citronella Ant Lasius claviger

The name hints at their story: citronella ants, named for a lemony-scent chemical they release when threatened. These smaller yellow ants were once classified under a different genus before scientists realized they belonged in the larger Lasius group—a taxonomic shuffle that reshaped our understanding of ant relationships.

Found throughout the United States, they're common but often overlooked. Their small size and bright coloring make them distinctive in ant columns, if you know what to look for. A reminder that even humble ants have their own chemical identities and surprising evolutionary histories.