Formica truncorum
Strunk ant ( Formica truncorum )
The Strunk ant ( Formica truncorum ) from the subfamily of ants scales ( Formicinae ) belongs to the genus of wood ants (Formica ).
Features
Head and mesosoma are rusty red to reddish yellow. Also, the first tergite of the gaster is extended rust colored, the rest of gaster has a brownish-black to black in color. The black spots on pronotum and mesonotum are missing or appear only very indistinct. Even the head lacks the black coloring throughout. The mesosoma and the gaster show a strong, golden-yellow hair and the head bears on the back of the head a wreath projecting hairs. Also at the head underside are protruding hairs present. The length of the workers is 3.5 to 9 mm.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area covers the whole of Europe to the north-east of Asia. This species is quite common in Northern Europe, further south, however, only to be found in mountainous areas. She lives in warm places on dry and sandy soils, it is in Poland, but also settlements in peat bogs known. One finds the colonies on the south-facing forest edges or on long, sparsely vegetated clearings.
Way of life
The colonies are founded sozialparasitär in slave ants ( Serviformica ) and the States may remain monogyn several years. Over time, the community turns into a polygyny by adoption of young queens. Often then form also polydome Nest communities. The Strunk ant is not nearly as strongly tied to their location as other wood ants and it comes more often nest relocations, such as too much shade, or to avoid food competitors. The nests are often left only a few years at their stand. The states are rather small and only include tens of thousands of workers. The Strunk ant holds from October to March winter dormancy and raves on warm days between late June and mid-August.
Food
As a food serve mainly insects and honeydew.
Nesting
The classic hill nests from plant material are small and inconspicuous. They are also irregular shaped than the larger nests of the red wood ant (Formica rufa) or Kahlrückigen wood ant (Formica polyctena ). Most irregular domes are created on the south side of logs, sometimes even on larger tufts of grass. As materials are mostly pine needles, small branches and dry grass.
System
The type of drink ant ( Formica truncorum ) is divided into the following types:
- F. truncorum finzii Stitz, 1939
- F. truncorum frontalis Santschi, 1919
- F. truncorum truncorum Fabricius, 1804