Formica rufa

Formica rufa, commonly known as the red wood ant, is a species found in Europe and parts of Asia. They are robust, reddish-brown ants that build large, complex nests often in trees or on the ground. These ants are highly social, living in colonies with many workers that forage for food such as insects, and they play a vital role in their ecosystem by controlling pest populations. Formica rufa is also known for its ability to defend its nest vigorously and for the impressive, mound-like structures it constructs, which can be quite visible in forested areas.