Wood Ant

Open coniferous or mixed woodlands, often building large mounds out of pine needles and twigs.

Omnivorous; they eat insects and other invertebrates, and extensively collect honeydew from aphids.

Highly social insects that live in large colonies. They are known for building complex thatch mounds and being territorial. They use formic acid as a defense mechanism.

Benefits include pest control by eating other insects and improving soil quality; risks to humans are minimal, though they can deliver a painful bite and spray formic acid if the nest is disturbed.