NESTBUILDING IN FORMICA EXSECTA ANTS (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE)

摘要

Ants of the subgenus Coptoformica, like red wood ants, build terrestrial composite mounds. However, despite the similar appearance, mounds of Coptoformica have some significant features affecting the specificity of using them. Mounds of Formica (Coptoformica) ex,secta consist of a temporary layer, a cortical layer, the mound itself and an interlayer. All the layers consist of soil and plant fragments (both gathered and cut out); the layers differ in the ratio of materials. The cortical layer performs the function of frame. It is rather dense with some amount of soil which allows the ants to give their nests different forms. The interlayer and the upper part of the mound itself contain a lot of large cameras. The material of the nests serves as an object of internest exchange. In general, the mounds of F. exsecta are mobile and flexible, which promote the dwelling of these ants in ecotone habitats.