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Ant war
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Written by Pasi   
Thursday, 17 July 2008 06:27

Last weekend at Turku, Finland, I spotted few formica rufa ants carrying eggs and larva, and I got more interested. I followed the "river" of ants and realized, that they had just raid another ant nest and now they were carrying stolen eggs, larva and aurelia away. I did not have camera with me so I just had to follow the war without being able to take any pictures. But I came back next day, and the looting was still going on.

The attacking party was formica rufa (horse ant)  and the defender formica fusca (black ant), which is the common scenario. Formica rufa ants attack formica fusca colony, kills defenders, enters the nest chambers and steal eggs and larvas for food or slavery. Here's few pictures I took. 

ant war battlefield

Picture 1. Ant war battlefield. The formica fusca nest area, near beach.

ant war casualties

Picture 2. Ant war casualties. Red is for formica rufa and black for formica fusca. 

formica fusca nest

Picture 3. Holes to the formica fusca nest. Formica rufa does not always "fit in" so the make the holes bigger.

dead ants

Picture 4. Lots of deaths in front of this hole. 

thief ant

Picture 5. Formica rufa carrying a larva or aurelia.  

ant has stolen a larva

Picture 6. Another thief.

dead formica rufa 

Picture 7. Battle casualties, dead formica rufa.

dead formica fusca

Picture 7. Battle casualties, dead formica fusca ant. 

ant carrying wounded ant

Picture 8. Ant carrying wounded mate.



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Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 July 2008 06:53 )
 

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