Bustling colonies - wood ants in Parc Ela

«Among the ants one finds weavers, butchers, animal breeders, bricklayers, cardboard manufacturers, bakers, mushroom growers, gardeners, warriors and pacifists, slave hunters, thieves, robbers and parasites, but no professors, nor popular orators, regents, bureaucrats and generals, not even corporals, nor capitalists and speculators, and just as few chatterboxes.»

Auguste Forel, 1921, «Ants and Man» Wood ants enrich the forest ecosystem in many ways and are therefore considered a key species. They regulate the population of pests, improve soil quality through their nests, spread plants along their trails on the forest floor, increase the production of forest honey and play an important role in the food chain. To survive as a colony, they need light and an intact nest. Neither of these is guaranteed in forests used for forestry and recreational purposes. This makes it all the more important to give these tiny organisational talents a big stage.

Additional information: Equipment: long trousers, closed shoes, magnifying glass (if available)
Costs: Collection