Colonies construct large thatched mound nests occupied by thousands of workers, and one or more queens.

When aggression occurs, the ants are at first startled and enter an upright body position with their mouths open.

Workers are able to release pheromones that can alert others to danger nearby; this is another way these ants use odors to communicate.

[4] Red wood ants prey on pestiferous insects and forest defoliators including spruce budworms.

[7] As well as invertebrate prey, Formica lugubris collect large quantities of honeydew from sap sucking aphids in trees.

[9] They form large, domed nests on southerly facing slopes in relatively open woodland, often along fire-breaks, tracks or in clearings.

Their range extends throughout Northern Europe and parts of Asia north of the Himalayan-Tibetan barrier.

[11] Within the British Isles, populations are healthy in the north of England and Scotland, but only a few nests persist in Ireland.

As a part of the UK biodiversity action plan, red wood ant preservation attempts are occurring.

Colonies can be found in mixed conifer and deciduous woodland, and play a big role in the forest ecosystem.

[4] Attempts to preserve the red wood ants are a part of the UK biodiversity plan.