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Post by Jenny on Jul 16, 2006 13:15:59 GMT
Here is a L.flavus mound taken from above. Look closely and you will see the entrance holes. These have been made larger within the last few days, ready for the alates to squeeze out prior to a mating flight  This mound is just outside our front door, which makes it easy for studying!   |
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Post by theantkeeper on Jan 4, 2007 20:25:29 GMT
Hi Jennant Are Lasius flavus the only UK species that make ant hills?  Andrew |
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Post by jolon on Jan 22, 2007 18:12:06 GMT
no there's Formica rufa who build them out of pine needles, but does it count as an ant hill? Jolon |
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jan 22, 2007 19:38:38 GMT
Hi Jennant Are Lasius flavus the only UK species that make ant hills? Andrew Generally speaking Andrew, an "ant hill" can be made from excavated soil upon which small plants grow and eventually cover it; or ants such as wood ant species will make a large mound or hill from bits of forest vegetation. A soil mound is more of a hummock no more than 12" high (30cms), and maybe 18" across; whereas the "ant hills" built by ants such as F. rufa and its relatives may often be well over 3 feet ( 1 metre) high, and cover an area up to 10 feet (3 metres) across. Such vast ant hills are a truly impressive sight, once seen, never forgotten. I have seen one nest made by Formica rufa which could easily have covered a fully grown man twice over in both height and width  |
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Post by Formicalondon on Jan 23, 2007 13:41:09 GMT
I have seen L niger ant hills before also and what I belive to be Formica rufibarbis. and once I even found a large mound conataining what appeared to be some kind of Myrmica species. I also found a large mound covering a large part of a tree stump containinf Formica fusca, so I would say if the colonys large enough most ant species will create mounds.
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