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Calco: ant hunting (20. Aug 2008 17:11)

Hey :)
been looking round forests for different ants, just to see what I have in my local area. All I seem to be able to find is the obvious like lasius niger/flavus and what i believe to be rubra (also seen these really shiny black round headed ants, but cant seem to figure out what they are). Now I live in east anglia, and just wondered if any1 else lives round ere and knows what species hang about. Is it possible that there could be any formica species about, not like sanguinea and I dont think fusca are round here either, but I read that cunnicularia are in the south of england. Any help and tips appreciated
~Calco :)

miszt: (20. Aug 2008 20:55)

There are some Formica species, but they are becoming very rare in the UK, we only have 42 species of ant in the UK anyway, so not a huge amount to find, although you should be able to find Temnothorax spec, they are a tiny species, u'll often find them nesting in dead wood, under the bark of pine trees and in large seeds like Acorns.

Please dont disturb any Formica species you find, as they are often endangered :)

damondeionno: (20. Aug 2008 22:37)

Calco

I have spent a bit of time in East Anglia. My girlfriend comes from Norwich. There aren't many Formica in Norfolk, and I have looked. There are Formica fusca, and I remember seeing quite a lot in Thetford forest.

Do the shiny black ants look like this?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ppVZBdcq1j4/SDkUX698S9I/AAAAAAAAB5w/6ql6n-EFnwM/2008_0524_124810.JPG

Sometimes you find Lasius fuliginosus in the UK, but I have only seen them a couple of times. Never in Norfolk.

rubra/ruginodis, I can't tell the difference.

I've never seen any Temnothorax like species in Norfolk.

Sorry I can't be more encouraging.

Calco: (20. Aug 2008 23:43)

the linked image is 404'ed :O and goin down thetford forest ent such a bad idea :) thnx

damondeionno: (21. Aug 2008 08:42)

Just google Lasius fuliginosis.

If you go to Thetford, pay extra attention to sunny clearings.