Taxonomic history
Junior synonym of Formica rufa: Nylander, 1846a PDF: 902; Foerster, 1850a: 13; Smith, 1855a PDF: 100; Nylander, 1856b PDF: 60; Smith, 1858a PDF: 3; Mayr, 1863a PDF: 420; Roger, 1863b PDF: 12; Forel, 1874 PDF: 98 (in list); Emery & Forel, 1879 PDF: 450; Dalla Torre, 1893 PDF: 208; Wheeler, 1913i PDF: 425; Donisthorpe, 1915f: 245; Emery, 1925d PDF: 253; Donisthorpe, 1927c: 286; Karavaiev, 1936: 240; Stitz, 1939: 328; Gösswald, 1941 PDF: 73.Status as species: Yarrow, 1955a PDF: 10; Betrem, 1960b: 77 (in key); Collingwood, 1962c PDF: 219; Samsinák, 1964 PDF: 157; Dlussky, 1967a PDF: 91; Bernard, 1967a PDF: 318 (redescription); Kutter, 1968b: 61; Kutter, 1968c: 206; Collingwood & Yarrow, 1969 PDF: 94; Pisarski, 1969b: 313; Baroni Urbani, 1971c PDF: 218; Collingwood, 1971 PDF: 169; Dlussky & Pisarski, 1971 PDF: 180 (redescription); Banert & Pisarski, 1972 PDF: 355; Bolton & Collingwood, 1975: 7 (in key); Pisarski, 1975: 47; Collingwood, 1976a PDF: 304; Francoeur, 1977b PDF: 208; Kutter, 1977c: 271; Arnol'di & Dlussky, 1978: 554 (in key); Collingwood, 1978 PDF: 93 (in key); Collingwood, 1979 PDF: 148; Douwes, 1979 PDF: 187; Smith, 1979: 1459; Kupyanskaya, 1980 PDF: 104; Douwes, 1981b PDF: 217; Kupyanskaya, 1986b PDF: 98; Agosti & Collingwood, 1987a PDF: 59; Agosti & Collingwood, 1987b PDF: 286 (in key); Nilsson & Douwes, 1987: 85; Gösswald, 1989: 19; Kupyanskaya, 1990a: 198; Atanassov & Dlussky, 1992: 274; Radchenko, 1994b: 114 (in key); Douwes, 1995: 97; Bolton, 1995b: 198; Poldi et al., 1995: 8; Espadaler, 1997g PDF: 28; Gallé et al., 1998: 218; Tinaut & Martínez-Ibañez, 1998d PDF: 37 (in key); Czechowski et al., 2002 PDF: 74; Radchenko, 2005b PDF: 163; Bračko, 2006 PDF: 147; Petrov, 2006 PDF: 113 (in key); Bračko, 2007 PDF: 19; Seifert, 2007: 317; Werner & Wiezik, 2007 PDF: 144; Zryanin & Zryanina, 2007 PDF: 233; Casevitz-Weulersse & Galkowski, 2009 PDF: 482; Lapeva-Gjonova et al., 2010 PDF: 50; Boer, 2010: 25; Legakis, 2011 PDF: 36; Borowiec & Salata, 2012 PDF: 495; Czechowski et al., 2012: 196; Guénard & Dunn, 2012 PDF: 31; Kiran & Karaman, 2012 PDF: 11; Borowiec, 2014 PDF: 76; Bračko et al., 2014 PDF: 19; Lebas et al., 2016: 172; Seifert, 2016a PDF: 14; Radchenko, 2016: 287; Salata & Borowiec, 2018c 10.5281/zenodo.2199191 PDF: 44; Seifert, 2018: 329.Senior synonym of Formica congerens: Yarrow, 1955a PDF: 5; Dlussky, 1967a PDF: 91; Dlussky & Pisarski, 1971 PDF: 180; Bolton, 1995b: 198; Radchenko, 2007 PDF: 36; Casevitz-Weulersse & Galkowski, 2009 PDF: 482; Radchenko, 2016: 287.Senior synonym of Formica rufa montana Sadil, 1953: Samsinák, 1964 PDF: 157; Dlussky, 1967a PDF: 91; Dlussky & Pisarski, 1971 PDF: 180; Bolton, 1995b: 198; Radchenko, 2016: 287.Senior synonym of Formica rufa nylanderi: Yarrow, 1955a PDF: 5; Dlussky, 1967a PDF: 91; Bernard, 1967a PDF: 318; Dlussky & Pisarski, 1971 PDF: 180; Bolton, 1995b: 198; Seifert, 1996a PDF: 200; Casevitz-Weulersse & Galkowski, 2009 PDF: 482; Radchenko, 2016: 287.Senior synonym of Formica santschii: Yarrow, 1955a PDF: 5; Dlussky, 1967a PDF: 91; Bernard, 1967a PDF: 318; Baroni Urbani, 1971c PDF: 219; Dlussky & Pisarski, 1971 PDF: 180; Bolton, 1995b: 198; Radchenko, 2016: 287.Senior synonym of Formica pratensis unicolor: Dlussky, 1967a PDF: 91; Dlussky & Pisarski, 1971 PDF: 180; Bolton, 1995b: 198; Radchenko, 2016: 287.Material of the unavailable name Formica rufa rufa tir referred here by Yarrow, 1955a PDF: 5; Bolton, 1995b: 198.Records
(Map 66): Bulgaria ( Agosti and Collingwood 1987a ); Eastern Danubian Plain: Stozher vill. ( Otto et al. 1962 ), Razgrad, Ruse, Dobrich ( Ronketi and Penev 1966 ), Suvorovo ( Keremidchiev et al. 1972 ); Predbalkan ( Wesselinoff 1973 ); Eastern Predbalkan:Targovishte ( Ronketi and Penev 1966 ); Stara Planina Mts: ( Bobev 1972 , Wesselinoff 1973 , Atanassov 1974 , Vatov and Bobev 1976 ); Western Stara Planina Mts: under Kom peak, Todorini kukli peaks ( Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ); Central Stara Planina Mts: Boatin reserve (under Tetevenska baba peak), Tsarichina reserve (under Vezhen peak), Dermenka hut (Troyan Balkan) ( Atanassov 1983 ), Vezhen peak ( Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ); Eastern Stara Planina Mts: Tvarditsa pass, Karandila loc., under Chumerna peak, Razboyna vill. ( Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ); Viskyar Mt., Lyulin Mt., Verila Mt. ( Wesselinoff 1973 ); Vitosha Mt. ( Otto et al. 1962 , Wesselinoff 1967 , 1973 , Keremidchiev et al. 1972 , Atanassov 1974 ): Cherni vrach ( Atanassov 1974 ), Marchevski ostrets peak, Selimitsa peak, Kupena peak, Samara (Sedloto) peak ( Wesselinoff 1967 , Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ); Plana Mt. ( Wesselinoff 1973 ): Astronomical observatory (between Plana vill. and Dolni Okol vill.) ( Vagalinski and Lapeva-Gjonova in press ); Sredna Gora Mts ( Bobev 1972 , Vatov and Bobev 1976 ):Koprivshtitsa ( Vesselinov 1981 ); Sakar Mt. ( Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ); Osogovo-Belasitsa group ( Vatov and Bobev 1976 ); Belasitsa Mt., Slavianka Mt. ( Atanassov 1974 , Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ): Alibotush reserve ( Atanassov 1974 ); Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley: Sandanski ( Gateva 1975 ); Rila Mt. ( Bobev 1972 , Wesselinoff 1973 , 1979 , Atanassov 1974 , Vatov and Bobev 1976 , Vesselinov 1981 ): under Ibar peak, Borovets ( Otto et al. 1962 , Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ), Parangalitsa reserve ( Wesselinoff 1968 , 1973 ), Semkovo ( Wesselinoff 1973 ), Rila monastery ( Gateva 1975 ), Ibar reserve ( Atanassov 1983 ); Pirin Mt. ( Bobev 1972 , Wesselinoff 1973 , 1979 , Atanassov 1974 , Vatov and Bobev 1976 , Vesselinov 1981 , Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 , Seifert 1996 ): Bansko ( Otto et al. 1962 ), Kremenski lakes ( Wesselinoff 1973 ), Bayuvi dupki reserve ( Atanassov 1983 ); Rhodopi Mts ( Bobev 1972 , 1973 , Wesselinoff 1973 , 1979 , Atanassov 1974 , Gateva 1974 , 1975 , 1978, Vatov and Bobev 1976 , Vesselinov 1981 , Seifert 1996 ); Western Rhodopi Mts: Chehlyovo forestry (near Velingrad) ( Otto et al. 1962 , Keremidchiev et al. 1972 , Wesselinoff 1973 , 1974, Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ), Hvoyna vill. ( Otto et al. 1962 , Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ), Yundola, Vishteritsa, Shiroka Laka ( Otto et al. 1962 ), Mantaritsa-Petlite-Kaynatsite reserve (under Syutka peak) ( Atanassov 1983 ), Snezhanka peak ( Gateva 1974 , Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ), loc. Terekliytsa, above Smolyan lakes ( Gateva 1974 ), Eshekulak, Syutka peak, under Karatepe peak, Perelik peak ( Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ); Eastern Rhodopi Mts: ( Vatov and Bobev 1976 ); Northern Black Sea coast: Varna, Balchik ( Ronketi and Penev 1966 ).
Conservation Status:
Lower Risk/near threatened (IUCN).
Formica lugubris, also known as the hairy wood ant is commonly found in wooded upland areas across northern Eurasia. Colonies construct large thatched mound nests occupied by thousands of workers, and one or more queens.[2] Workers look similar to other species of wood ants (genus Formica), but Formica lugubris workers can be identified by a fringe of hairs that reaches down to their eyes and prominent hairs between the facets of their compound eyes. Workers can reach sizes of up to 9 mm long; queens are larger, reaching 12 mm long.[2][3][4]
Each ant is able to recognize other members of their colony by a specific odor they all carry on them.[5] Different odors allow them to also recognize other insects and ants from other colonies.[5] When these ants encounter members of other ant species, these are usually considered intruders and are seized and dragged into the nest.[5] Combat between ants is common and almost always ends with death of one ant.[5] When red wood ants encounter members of different colonies similar responses may be made, although in populations where nests have multiple queens, there is often very little aggression between members of neighbouring nests. When aggression occurs, the ants are at first startled and enter an upright body position with their mouths open.[5] This is their way of showing threatening behavior.[5] When in contact, members of the same colony are not threatened by each other and do not show signs of aggression. Workers are able to release pheromones that can alert others to danger nearby; this is another way these ants use odors to communicate.[3] These ants typically mate during the month of June.[3] Unmated winged female ants release a pheromone that will attract a male. They will both fly off into the forest and mate on the ground, usually where there are no other worker ants around.[3] Not every ant can reproduce; reproductive males and females are larger than worker ants and have wings.[3] After mating, the male will die and the female will lose her wings and start a new colony.[3] Fertilized queens can take over the colonies of Serviformica ants. The queen lands on a Serviformica ant nest, finds and kills the Serviformica ant queen then takes her place. Her eggs are cared for by the Serviformica ant workers, and wood ant workers will replace them over time.[6]
Formica lugubris are omnivorous ants that consume a variety of different foods.[4] Red wood ants prey on pestiferous insects and forest defoliators including spruce budworms.[7] As well as invertebrate prey, Formica lugubris collect large quantities of honeydew from sap sucking aphids in trees. This honeydew is a major source of carbohydrate for the adult workers and represents a significant input of carbon into soils in coniferous forests where they live, equivalent to 2-6% of the carbon influx due to needle litterfall.[8]
F. lugubris lives in massive nests that can contain up to half a million colony members.[9] They form large, domed nests on southerly facing slopes in relatively open woodland, often along fire-breaks, tracks or in clearings. The nests have several mechanisms for keeping the internal temperature stable. The southerly orientation captures sunlight; the nest is flattened on the south side to present a greater surface area to the sun and in spring, large numbers of workers can be seen sunbathing on the nest. When warm they will go into the nest to release their heat inside.[3][9] Their nests can also be home to other invertebrates, such as the shining guest ant Formicoxenus nitidulus, which is found only in the nests of F. lugubris and its close relatives.[10]
Hairy wood ants are found primarily in upland conifer and mixed conifer forests, though also in deciduous woodlands. Their range extends throughout Northern Europe and parts of Asia north of the Himalayan-Tibetan barrier.[2] They also occur in mountains further south than their main populations, including the Alps, the Jura and the Pyrenees.[11] Within the British Isles, populations are healthy in the north of England and Scotland, but only a few nests persist in Ireland.[12][11] A nest of what was previously thought to be Formica lugubris was established near Quebec in 1971 to evaluate its potential as a biological control;[7] however, this population has since been identified as the related species Formica paralugubris.[13]
This ant species is an edge specialist, with nests occurring along woodland edges, rides, firebreaks and in clearings. When the woodland canopy becomes too dense, it can shade out the ant nests. As a part of the UK biodiversity action plan, red wood ant preservation attempts are occurring. Colonies can be found in mixed conifer and deciduous woodland, and play a big role in the forest ecosystem. Each colony can reach up about three million ants and live in above ground nests. Nest size can range from as small as 10 cm to over 100 cm in height and up to 192 cm in width.[7] Size of the nest does not necessarily mean the nest is newer. Small nests can continue to thrive for years at a time.[7] Nests are normally located in sunny areas and near woodland rides and glades.[4] In areas where many colonies exist, linked trails can allow a super colony to form.[7] Nests are created are above ground and shaped in a dome.[14] They are made with plant material and soil debris.[8] The majority of the nest is created with organic matter.[14] Although the nests are made above ground, tunnels are created so that ants can reach to depths of 25–30 cm.[14] Ants change the area where they live by re-locating their nest material [8] These nests also provide a home to 43 different species of organisms.[8]
This ant does not have many natural predators, but its habitat is being destroyed by urban and industrial development.[4] Deforestation and clear felling are very damaging for the species.[15] Another issue is when plants take over an area, which causes loss of sunny areas in the forest where ants create their mounds.[4] Attempts to preserve the red wood ants are a part of the UK biodiversity plan.
Formica lugubris, also known as the hairy wood ant is commonly found in wooded upland areas across northern Eurasia. Colonies construct large thatched mound nests occupied by thousands of workers, and one or more queens. Workers look similar to other species of wood ants (genus Formica), but Formica lugubris workers can be identified by a fringe of hairs that reaches down to their eyes and prominent hairs between the facets of their compound eyes. Workers can reach sizes of up to 9 mm long; queens are larger, reaching 12 mm long.