Ants are the world’s most ecologically important insects, both in terms of biomass and diversity of ecosystem services.
About 15,000 species inhabit almost all terrestrial habitats, including deserts and high mountains.
Ants are social insects characterised by a highly sophisticated division of labour: different individuals carry out different functions.

The Southern Wood Ant (Formica rufa) closely resembles the European Red Wood Ant (Formica polyctena), and identification is often difficult.
The main external difference is that the European Red Wood Ant is only slightly hairy on the head and back, unlike the Southern Wood Ant.

Stulpheide, Lage Vuursche, The Netherlands, 23 July 2011