Formica rufa

Formica rufa, also known as the red wood ant, southern wood ant, or horse ant, is a common forest ant that makes large mound nests. Their conspicuous nests make this a well known and recognizable ant for anyone that has spent time in European lowland forests. Queens start new colonies by parasitizing nests of other ants.

 

 

Queen

Queen Ant

• Nuptial Flight Time : For clarity,use: ant-mating-chart  conficting reports of late spring or May to  early July. the ant chart is a better alternative.
• Colony Founding : temporary parasitic
• *gynous : polygynous
• Brood Boostable: Yes
• Hibernation : 
• Feeding Requirements : 
• Nanitics Appear After : 

 

Food

Likes

• Crickets
• Honeydew
• Spiders

Dislikes

?

 

Colony

• Difficulty :
• Typical Colony Size : Large colonies may have 100,000 to 400,000 workers and 100 queens.
• Polymorphic : Yes
• Ant Length : 4.5–9 mm
• Temperament :  Aggressive
• Suggested Feeding Schedule :
• Hazards : Spray formic acid
• Colony Growth Rate :
• Egg To Worker :
• Circadian Activity :
• Recommended Temperature :
• Recommended Humidity :
• Heating Pad Required :
• Can Climb Smooth Surfaces :  Yes 
• When To Expand :
• When Do Soldiers and Reproductives Appear :
• Invasive/Pest :
• Farmers : Of aphids
• Native Location : antmaps.org
• Natural Habitat : Fields and pines
• Preferred Nesting Medium :
• Scientific Information: antwiki.org

Notes

• ?

 

Images

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•