The World of Wood Ants

Nest of wood ants (Formica lugubris) amongst Scots pines in Glen Affric National Nature Reserve.

Wood ants (Formica lugubris) tending aphids on an aspen tree on Dundreggan. The ants derive much of their food from the sugary liquid secreted by aphids like this.

Wood ants (Formica lugubris) with the empty cocoon of a leaf beetle larva (Clytra quadripunctata) on Dundreggan. The larvae of this beetle species live as inquilines, or residents in the nests of wood ants, where they eat the nest material.

Wood ants (Formica lugubris) carrying a caterpillar back to their nest in Glen Affric. By feeding leaf-eating caterpillars like this to their larvae the ants help to protect trees such as Scots pine from defoliation.

Wood ant (Formica lugubris) moving a pupa on Dundreggan. On warm days the ants move their pupae to different parts of their nest to help regulate their temperature.

Winged male wood ant (Formica lugubris) on the bark of a Scots pine in Glen Affric. On a warm day in summer, winged male ants emerge from their nest, climb the nearest tree and fly off, hoping to mate with a queen, who will then found a new colony.