Fiedler, K.

Stockan, J.A. & Robinson, E.J.H. (Eds.) 2016: Wood ant ecology and conservation

Mound building wood ants (genus Formica s. str.) for sure exemplify a pinnacle of social organisation and ecological impact amongst ants in the northern hemisphere. They may reach immensely large (super-)colony sizes which can only be tied together by sophisticated means of communication and nestmate recognition. Wood ants are highly important predators and provide multiple ecosystem functions. At the same time, in many parts of their distributional range, these fascinating ants are under pressure through anthropogenic influences that let their habitats deteriorate. Much research has been done, and is ongoing worldwide, on wood ants. Yet, the results tend…