Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 223

Formica pratensis is a species of ant that is divided into subspecies. It can reach a length of 4.5-9.5 mm in workers and queens can reach a size of 9.5-11.3 mm. The thorax is reddish and the abdomen and head are black or dark brown. Their nests are built with grasses, pine needles, and straw and can be up to a meter in diameter. This species can be found in various countries in Europe and is extinct in the UK. It is characteristic of rough alpine pastures, dry heathland, meadows, and roadsides.