User:Mlogatto93/sandbox

Abstract
The hairy Wood Ant is common in the forests of the UK. Similar to other species of wood ants, the Formica Lugubris can be identified by a fringe of hairs that reaches down to their eyes. They can reach sizes of up to 12mm long, and they live in massive colonies. Colonies consist of workers and queen ants, all of which are carnivores.

Behavior
Formica Lugubris are carnivorous ants that consume a variety of different foods. Red wood ants prey on pestiferous insects and forest defoliators like spruce budworms. They live in massive nests that contain millions of colony members. Each ant is able to recognize other members of their colony by a specific odor they all carry on them. Different odors allow them to also recognize other insects and ants from other colonies. When these ants encounter outside species of ants and insects they may become shocked and engage in combat. Ants from outside species or colonies usually considered intruders and are seized and dragged in to the nest. Combat between ants is common and almost always ends with death of one ant. When red wood ants encounter members of different colonies similar responses are made. The ants are at first startled and enter an upright body position with their mouths open. is their way of showing threatening behavior. Members of the same colony, when in contact they are not threatened by each other and do not show signs of aggression. Workers are able to release pheromones that can alarm others of danger near by; this is another way these ants use odors to communicate. The month of June during is when these ants prefer to mate. Sexually aroused 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. Not every ant can reproduce; reproductive males and females are larger than worker ants and have wings. This is to prevent competition when mating. After mating the male will die and the female will lose her wings and start a new colony.

Location
Hairy Wood ants are found primarily in conifer and mixed conifer forests in Northern Europe and Asia. North America and Canada the Formica Lugubris has been observed, but are few in numbers compared to populations in the U.K and Asia. The presence of these ants in North America is due to attempts by people to reduce the negative impacts of defoliating forest insects. Red wood ants were chosen to be released in North America because the climate there is similar to where it is native. they are considered to because they can form colonies and dominate an area relatively quickly.

Habitat
This ant does not have many natural predators, but its habitat is being destroyed by urban and industrial development. Change in agriculture and forestry is ruining their habitat. Another issue is when plants take over an area, which causes loss of sunny areas in the forest where ants create their mounds. a part of the UK biodiversity plant these red wood ants are trying to be preserved.Colonies prefer to live in conifer forests and lay a big role in the ecosystem. Each colony can reach up about 3 million ants and live in above ground nests. Nest size can range from as small as 10cm to over 100cm in height and up to 192cm in width. Size of the nest does not necessarily mean the nest is newer. Small nests can continue to thrive for years at a time. Nests are normally located in sunny areas and near woodland rides and glades. in areas where many colonies exist, linked trails can allow a super colony to form. Nests that are created are above ground and shaped in a dome. are made with plant material and soil debris. The majority of the nest is created with organic matter. Although the nests are made above ground tunnels are created so that ants can reach to depths of 25-30cm. Ants change the area where they live by re-locating forests litter and animals living there. These nests also provide a home to 43 different species of organisms.

Threats
This ant does not have many natural predators, but its habitat is being destroyed by urban and industrial development(Arkive). Change in agriculture and forestry is ruining their habitat. Another issue is when plants take over an area, which causes loss of sunny areas in the forest where ants create their mounds. As a part of the UK biodiversity plant these red wood ants are trying to be preserved.