Species Insects & ArthropodsMound Ant

Mound Ant

Formica polyctena

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Mound Ant (Formica polyctena)

The Mound Ant builds large, domed mounds of vegetation material in European and North American boreal forests, housing polydomous supercolonies of millions of workers across multiple connected nests. A mature mound acts as a solar-heated incubator for brood. Workers harvest enormous quantities of aphid honeydew and are important predators of forest pests.

Habitat
Boreal and mixed forests with conifers and birch
Diet
Adults: honeydew from aphids, insects, and plant secretions
How common
Common

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