Red forest ant

Red forest ants can mainly be found in forest edges where they build their characteristic nests, or 'ant domes'. Forest ants live in colonies consisting of workers, queens and males. The lives of the workers depend on the queen. The queen takes care of the offspring, and the males fertilize the queen once a year during a bridal flight. A large part of the ant dome is located underground. Here the ants retreat during the winter months. The ants build their nest in the forest edges. There is enough sunlight here to warm up the nest, but also enough shade if it gets too hot.

Due to their location in the forest edges, the nests of red forest ants are particularly vulnerable to negative external influences. It is therefore very important that we know where the nests are so that we can continue to monitor them. Have you observed any of the nests? Then be sure to pass them on to the forester, on anblim@lne.vlaanderen.be or at the Provincial Nature Center (www.limburg.be.)

Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos