INSECTS
HYMENOPTERA / ANTS
Ants belong to the order Hymenoptera which also contains wasps, bees and sawflies. They are eusocial insects that form colonies which they collectively work together to support. Colonies usually contain sterile wingless females, most of which are ergates (workers), dinergates (soldiers), drones (fertile males), and one or more gynes Gynes are those destined to become queens, whereas female workers are barren.
Woodland Red Ant
Myrmica ruginodis
Over fifty species of ant exist in Britain, seven belong to the Myrmica family which typically have deep red colouration and the ability to inflict a weak sting. The Woodland Red Ant is the most common Myrmica found in Britain. It lives in small colonies containing between 100-300 members and each colony may contain many egg-producing queens. Nests are built in tree trunks, decaying timber and under stones. There are two sub-species, one which has queens noticeably larger than the workers, the other with queens almost the same size as the worker. This aggressive woodland species feeds on insects and arachnids. Mating flights occur in July and August.
Dusky Ant Formica fusca is a black Ant also known as the Silky Ant. This species normally nests in rotten tree stumps and under stones along woodland edges and hedgerows. It feeds on honeydew secreted by aphids.
Yellow Meadow Ants Lasius flavus
usually live below ground in grassland and forest margins, building nests in the soil and under stones. They feed on small insects and honeydew produced by root feeding aphids.
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