Black field ant

Given name : Black field ant

Latin name : Formica glacialis

Physical characteristics : This ant is black and slightly larger than the pavement ant.

Behaviour : This ant builds mounds with dirt that can be as tall as 5 to 6 centimetres making it easy to identify in grass. Like the pavement ant it digs tunnels underground to build it's nest however unlike the pavement ant, these ants have much bigger nests and they are usually located in the grass.

Diet : insectivorous, it consumes honey, fruits and liquid that is made by aphids.

Reproduction : During the course of the month of july the queen and her males fly away to mate. The queen will only mate once in her lifetime. The male often dies after mating while the queen returns to the ground. She then digs a hole that is commonly referred to as the royal room and it's there that she forms a new colony.