Community identification
Wood Ant (also known as Mound Ant)
Formica rufa group
- Order & Family
- Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Formicidae
- Size
- Workers typically range from 4 mm to 9 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Forests, woodlands, and forest edges where pine needles and twigs are available for nest building.
Diet & Feeding
Honeydew collected from aphids, supplemented with small insects and other invertebrates.
Behavior Patterns
Sociable insects that build large mound nests out of organic debris. They form complex trail systems for foraging and can spray formic acid for defense.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pests and aerating soil; they can deliver a painful bite and spray formic acid, which may cause irritation to human skin.