Formica (Serviformica) clara - Forest ant
| Latin Name: |  |
Formica ( Serviformica) clara |
| Trivialname: |  |
|
| Taxonomy: |  |
Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini |
| Keeping Level: |  |
(2) in small basins they make easely use of their formicacid |
| Distribution: |  |
all above Europe and Centralasia |
| Habitat: |  |
prefers open xeric and halfxeric grassland, avoids closed areas |
| Colonyform: |  |
monogyne, polygyne possible |
| Queen: |  |
Size: 9 – 11mm Colour: head and gaster are mat black to dark grey, thorax is light colored red, legs are brownish |
| Worker: |  |
Size: 6 – 8 mm Colour: head and gaster are mat black to dark grey, thorax is light colored red, legs are brownish |
| Soldier: |  |
not present |
| Males: |  |
- |
| Nutrition: |  |
Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos |
| Airhumidity: |  |
Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60% |
| Temperature: |  |
Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C |
| Hibernation: |  |
yes, from october to march 5 - 8 °C |
| Nestform: |  |
mainly soil, sometimes also in dead wood |
| Kind of Formicaria: |  |
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest, Digfix |
| Formicaria size: |  |
Size: M |
| Substrate: |  |
Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam |
| Planting: |  |
similar to Grassland with moss, grass and other plants, possiblities for climbing |
| Decoration: |  |
Branches, Roots, Treeneedels |
| Description: |  |
Biggest and very aggressive Serviformica species in Germany. She is a very dry-and heat-loving species.You can find them on dry grassland and sunny streets and road embankments. They have good eyesight and are very fast too. The worker of this species looks like the Formica rufibarbis, it is only that the worker of the Formica clara becomes more bigger and aggressive. |
| Development: |  |
matingflight: on warm days end of June to July founding: claustral (without feeding) colonysize: a few 1.000 Individuals |
| Quantity: |  |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
| Weblinks: |  |
- Forum - Reference |