This is a list of ants of Great Britain, including endemic and introduced species. Compared with much of the rest of Europe, Great Britain has a smaller number of ants. The size and diversity of ant species in any area is largely determined by the highest summer soil temperature, and this being so, it is not surprising that the greatest concentration of different species is centred in the warmer parts of the country – Dorset, Hampshire,

Surrey Surrey () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South East England, bordering Greater London to the south west. Surrey has a large rural area, and several significant urban areas which form part of the Greater London Built-up Area. ...

, the Isle of Wight and Kent being the 5 richest counties, with 33, 31, 29, 27 and 26 different species present respectively. A few species, best exemplified by ''

Lasius niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languagesMyrmica rubra'', are truly

cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan may refer to: Food and drink * Cosmopolitan (cocktail), also known as a "Cosmo" History * Rootless cosmopolitan, a Soviet derogatory epithet during Joseph Stalin's anti-Semitic campaign of 1949–1953 Hotels and resorts * Cosmopoli ...

, colonising a great variety of different habitats (often including those directly resultant from human activities). These species are very common in most places, and have ranges that cover most of the nation. The larger part of Great Britain's ant species are, however, considerably more specialised in their requirements. Most independent species are found on undisturbed heathland in the south – probably as a direct result of its superior summer soil temperatures – and six are entirely dependent on other species during their mature life (i.e. not simply to found colonies, a requirement of many further species). Many of the lesser seen species are at the northern extent of their range in Britain, and for this reason are confined to the south. The variously differing

biotope A biotope is an area of uniform environmental conditions providing a living place for a specific assemblage of plants and animals. ''Biotope'' is almost synonymous with the term "habitat", which is more commonly used in English-speaking countrie ...

s afforded by parkland / partially wooded heath and larger traditional style gardens are also inhabited by a number of otherwise more heathland-pigeonholed species, such as ''Formica fusca/lemani'', ''Lasius mixtus/umbratus'' and ''L. fuliginosus''. The remaining species are mostly sylvan. These include the well known wood ants, typified by the southerly inclined '' Formica rufa'', and the more northerly ''F. lugubris'' and ''F. aquilonia''. These large, noticeable species abide in mounds constructed from leaf litter, which are still a common sight in many older forests and broken woodland up and down the country. A few other smaller, less easily spotted species also make their livings in conjunction with more wooded areas. ''

Stenamma ''Stenamma'' is a genus of cryptic leaf-litter ants that occurs in mesic forest habitats throughout the Holarctic region, Central America, and part of northwestern South America (Colombia and Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; ...

'' species, ''Leptothorax acervorum and Temnothorax nylanderi'' can be found, locality permitting, under stones/logs and beneath loose bark respectively, in established woods. The former habitat is also shared by the rather locally distributed ''Ponera coarctata'', one of two unambiguously native British representatives of the subfamily Ponerinae. The other is the recently discovered ''P. testacea'', which inhabits xerothermic sites. The list largely follows Skinner & Allen's ''Naturalists' Handbooks 24 : Ants'' published in 1996, though there have been some additions and corrections. Introduced species are marked with an asterisk (*).

Dolichoderinae Dolichoderinae is a subfamily of ants, which includes species such as the Argentine ant (''Linepithema humile''), the erratic ant, the odorous house ant, and the cone ant. The subfamily presents a great diversity of species throughout the world ...

Waist with a single segment called the petiole. Gaster with four segments visible from above in females (workers and queens). Sting absent. Anal aperture flattened with a hairless horizontal slit. *''

Linepithema humile The Argentine ant (''Linepithema humile''), formerly ''Iridomyrmex humilis'', is an ant native to northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and southern Brazil. It is an invasive species that has been established in many Mediterranean climat ...

'', Argentine ant * *''

Tapinoma erraticum The erratic ant (''Tapinoma erraticum'') is a species of dolichoderine ant first described in 1789 by Latreille. This species ranges throughout Central Europe from the mountains of south Italy to north Germany. It is present in coastal areas o ...

'', erratic ant – A small black ant found in southern Britain nesting in heathland. Notable for its solaria. *''

Tapinoma subboreale ''Tapinoma subboreale'' is a species of ant in the genus ''Tapinoma''. Described by Seifert in 2012, the species is endemic to Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great ...

'' – A small black ant found in southern Britain nesting in heathland. Previously known as ''Tapinoma ambiguum'' and then briefly as ''Tapinoma madeirense''. *''

Tapinoma melanocephalum ''Tapinoma melanocephalum'' is a species of ant that goes by the common name ghost ant. They are recognised by their dark head and pale or translucent legs and gaster (abdomen). This colouring makes this tiny ant seem even smaller. Descripti ...

'' *

Formicinae

Waist with a single segment called the petiole. Gaster with five segments visible from above in females (workers and queens). Sting absent. Anal aperture pointed and fringed with hairs. A Formica rufa sideview

*'' Camponotus'' sp., carpenter ants * *'' Formica aquilonia'', northern wood ant – A wood ant building tall, conical, thatched mound nests. Found in the highlands of Scotland with a few records from Ireland. Not found in England. *'' Formica cunicularia'' – A large ant often with some reddish parts quite common in parts of southern England. Nests in small earth mounds. *'' Formica exsecta'' – A large ant with a deeply excised head found in Devon and highlands of Scotland. Nests in small thatched mounds. *''

Formica fusca ''Formica fusca'' is a black-colored ant commonly found throughout Europe as well as parts of Southern Asia and Africa. It has the common names silky ant or dusky ant. The range within the palaearctic region extends from Portugal in the west to J ...

'' – A large black ant common in southern Britain. *''

Formica lemani ''Formica lemani'' is an ant species that is similar to ''Formica fusca''. The species was not formally distinguished as being different from Formica fusca until 1917, and was not clearly described until 1954. This species of ant is found throu ...

'' – Very similar to ''F. fusca'', but hairier and found in more northerly and westerly areas. *'' Formica lugubris'', hairy wood ant – Very similar to ''F. rufa'' but with a more northerly distribution. Much more tolerant of shade than ''F. rufa'' or ''F. aquilonia'', so often found in denser, commercial forests. *''

Formica picea ''Formica picea'' is a species of ant belonging to the family Formicidae. References {{Authority control picea A spruce is a tree of the genus ''Picea'' (), a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the family Pinace ...

'', black bog ant – Rare shiny black ant. Nests in tussocks in marshy ground in the New Forest, Dorset and in Glamorganshire, South Wales. Formerly known as ''Formica candida'' and before that as ''Formica transkaucasica''. *''

Formica pratensis ''Formica pratensis'', the black-backed meadow ant, is a species of European red wood ant in the family Formicidae. Systematic ''Formica pratensis'' is divided into these subspecies: *''Formica pratensis nuda'' Ruzsky, 1926 *''Formica pratensi ...

'' – A wood ant probably now extinct in England. Last seen in Dorset in the late 1980s. Still found on the Channel Islands in Jersey and Guernsey. *'' Formica rufa'', red or southern wood ant – A large ant. It builds large thatched mounds in open woodland. *'' Formica rufibarbis'' – A large rare ant found in a small number of sites in southern England and the Scilly Isles. Looks similar to ''F. cunicularia''. *'' Formica sanguinea'', blood-red slave-maker ant – Redder than the other Formica species. Faculative dulote. It makes slaves of other formicine species, most usually of ''Formica fusca''. *''

Lasius alienus ''Lasius alienus'', or cornfield ant, is a species of ant in the subfamily Formicinae (family Formicidae). Workers have a length of about 2–4 mm, Queens are larger (7–9 mm). Distribution They live in Europe, from Spain to the Cauca ...

'' – A small black ant found in chalky grassland. *''

Lasius brunneus ''Lasius brunneus'' is a species of ant in the genus ''Lasius''. The species is widely distributed in Europe, from Sweden in the north to Anatolia in the south. In England this species is almost always found nesting in oak trees or rotting wood m ...

'', brown tree ant – A small fugitive bi-coloured ant nesting in trees, especially old oak trees. Found in woods and parkland. *''

Lasius emarginatus ''Lasius emarginatus'' is a species of boreal formicine ants. Description ''Lasius emarginatus'' is a small ant, reaching a length of 3–5.5 mm in the workers, 7–10 mm in the females and 7–14.5 mm in males. In workers and f ...

'' – A small bi-coloured continental species previously found in the Channel Isles but not the mainland. A colony was discovered in London in 2008. *''

Lasius flavus The yellow meadow ant (''Lasius flavus''), also known as the yellow hill ant, is a species of ant occurring in Europe (where it is one of the most common ants), Asia, and North Africa. Populations in North America are now considered a different, ...

'', yellow meadow ant – A very common yellow ant. It builds large earthen mounds that last many years in undisturbed grassland. It can also be found nesting under stones and in garden lawns. It lives mostly underground and is not often seen on the surface. *''

Lasius fuliginosus ''Lasius fuliginosus'', also known as the jet ant or jet black ant, is a species of ant in the subfamily Formicinae. Distribution This species has a wide distribution in Europe and Asia, from Portugal and Ireland in the west, Finland in the nort ...

'', jet black ant – Large shiny black ant with heart shaped head. It nests in tree stumps and hedgerows and has a patchy distribution. Fertilised queens start colonies through adoption by ''L. mixtus'' and ''L. umbratus''. *''

Lasius meridionalis ''Lasius meridionalis'' is a species of ant belonging to the family Formicidae. It is native to Europe and Japan. References {{Taxonbar, from=Q13385463 meridionalis Insects described in 1920 ...

'' – A yellow subterranean ant found in lowland sandy heaths. Fertilised queens start colonies through adoption by ''Lasius alienus''. *''

Lasius mixtus ''Lasius mixtus'' is a species of ant Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. Mor ...

'' – A yellow subterranean ant nesting deep in the ground among shrub roots and under deep boulders, but occasionally also constructs mounds of fine loose soil. Fertilised queens start colonies through adoption by ''Lasius alienus'', ''L. niger'' or ''L. brunneus'' nests. *''

Lasius neglectus ''Lasius neglectus'' is a polygynous, sometimes invasive, ant of the genus ''Lasius''. The ant was identified in 1990 after establishing a colony in Budapest, Hungary. Superficially, they are similar in appearance to the common black garden ant, ...

'' * invasive garden ant – A small brown ant that forms super colonies in parks and gardens. First found in Gloucestershire in 2009. Likely to spread. *''

Lasius niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languagesLasius platythorax ''Lasius platythorax'' is a species of ants belonging to the family Formicidae. It is native to Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight ...

'' – Looks very similar to ''Lasius niger'' from which it was recently split but nests in cooler damper places. Does not work the earth but typically nests in dead wood. *''

Lasius psammophilus ''Lasius psammophilus'' is a species of ant belonging to the family Formicidae. It is native to Europe. References {{Taxonbar, from=Q13385528 psammophilus ''Psammophilus'' is a genus of agamid Agamidae is a family of over 300 specie ...

'' – Very similar to ''Lasius alienus'' from which it was recently split. Found in sandy areas. *''

Lasius sabularum ''Lasius sabularum'' is a species of ant belonging to the family Formicidae. It is native to Europe. References {{Taxonbar, from=Q13385539 sabularum Insects described in 1918 ...

'' – A yellow subterranean ant. *''

Lasius umbratus ''Lasius umbratus'', colloquially known as the yellow shadow ant and yellow lawn ant, is a palearctic species of parasitic ant distributed across Eurasia and the Maghreb region of Africa. It was once thought that this species occurred in North A ...

'' – A yellow subterranean ant nesting under boulders, in tree stumps and at the base of old trees. Fertilised queens start colonies through adoption by ''Lasius alienus'', ''L. niger'' or ''L. brunneus'' nests. *'' Paratrechina vividula'' * *''

Paratrechina longicornis The longhorn crazy ant (''Paratrechina longicornis''), also known as "black crazy ant", is a species of small, dark-coloured insect in the family Formicidae. These ants are commonly called "crazy ants" because instead of following straight line ...

'' *

Myrmicinae Myrmicinae is a subfamily of ants, with about 140 extant genera; their distribution is cosmopolitan. The pupae lack cocoons. Some species retain a functional sting. The petioles of Myrmicinae consist of two nodes. The nests are permanent and ...

Waist with two segments, the petiole and post-petiole. Stings usually present in female castes. Myrmica-rubra-workers

*'' Anergates atratulus'' – Previous name of ''Tetramorium atratulum''. *''

Crematogaster scutellaris ''Crematogaster scutellaris'' is a species of ant belonging to the family Formicidae, subfamily Myrmicinae. Description ''Crematogaster scutellaris'' can reach a length of about 8 mm in the queen, while the workers rarely exceed 5 mm. ...

'' * a southern european species that nests in trees, may be imported with cork and has recently been discovered in some buildings. *''

Formicoxenus nitidulus ''Formicoxenus nitidulus'', or the shining guest ant, is a species of ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is found in Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The I ...

'' – A guest ant. It nests in colonies of the much larger ''Formica rufa''. *'' Leptothorax acervorum'' – A small ant nesting in tree stumps, under stones and in peat. *''

Monomorium pharaonis The pharaoh ant (''Monomorium pharaonis'') is a small (2 mm) yellow or light brown, almost transparent ant notorious for being a major indoor nuisance pest, especially in hospitals. A cryptogenic species, it has now been introduced to vi ...

'', pharaoh ant * *''

Monomorium salomonis ''Monomorium salomonis'' is a species of ant. It is a pest of millets. References

Monomorium, salomonis {{Myrmicinae-stub ...

'' * *''

Myrmecina graminicola ''Myrmecina graminicola'' is a species of ant found throughout Northern Africa, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere in the Palearctic realm. Its colonies build nests in soil, under rocks, and in leaf litter. It was described in 1802 by Pierre André Latr ...

'', woodlouse ant – So called because it tends to roll into a ball when disturbed. A dark and slow moving ant. Local. *''

Myrmica hirsuta ''Myrmica hirsuta'' is a species of ant Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. M ...

'' – A rare almost workerless parasite of ''Myrmica sabuleti''. *''

Myrmica karavajevi ''Myrmica karavajevi'' is a workerless, socially parasitic ant species: it is widely distributed across Europe (Ukraine, European Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, B ...

'' – A workerless parasite of ''Myrmica sabuleti'' and ''M. scabrinodis''. *''

Myrmica lonea ''Myrmica'' is a genus of ants within the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is widespread throughout the temperate regions of the Holarctic and high mountains in Southeast Asia. The genus consists of around 200 known species and additional subspecies, ...

'' – A rare red ant recorded from Scotland nesting in soil and under stones. *''

Myrmica lobicornis ''Myrmica lobicornis'' is an ant species distributed through the planes of North Europe and the mountains of Central and Southern Europe. It is also found in the forest zone of East Europe, the Caucasus, West Siberia, North-East Kazakhstan, East ...

'' – Not common. It is found on lowland heath and open woodland. *'' Myrmica rubra'', red ant – A common lowland species most abundant in alluvial soils near rivers. *''

Myrmica ruginodis ''Myrmica ruginodis'' is a species of ant that lives in northern parts of Europe and Asia. It is very similar to '' M. rubra'', but has a more northerly and higher-altitude distribution. Overwintering larvae may become either workers or queen ants ...

'', red ant – A common species abundant in woodland where it nests in tree stumps. *''

Myrmica sabuleti ''Myrmica sabuleti'' is a species of ant in the genus ''Myrmica''. The species is indigenous to Europe, and most colonies are polygynous. Caterpillars of the large blue butterfly (''Phengaris arion'') parasitism, parasitically prey on this ant. T ...

'' – A red ant, locally common nesting in sun exposed sheltered sites. *''

Myrmica scabrinodis ''Myrmica scabrinodis'' is a Euro-Siberian species of ant. It lives in moderately humid habitats, tolerates soil moisture but also needs direct sunshine. It often inhabits peat bogs. It builds nests in the ground, in grass or moss tussocks, even ...

'', elbowed red ant – A common red ant with variable habits. Often found associated with the meadow ant ''Lasius flavus'', but also common in woodland, coastal areas, riverbanks and moorland. *''

Myrmica schencki ''Myrmica schencki'' is a species of ant in the genus '' Myrmica''. Distribution and habitat ''Myrmica schencki'' is distributed across Europe (from Great Britain, Sweden, Finland in the North to Spain, Italy and the Balkans in the South), the C ...

'' – This nocturnal red ant is not common. *''

Myrmica specioides ''Myrmica specioides'' is a species of ant of the genus ''Myrmica ''Myrmica'' is a genus of ants within the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is widespread throughout the temperate regions of the Holarctic and high mountains in Southeast Asia. The ...

'' – A rather local red ant. Nests occur in coastal sand, gravel banks and post industrial sites. Sometimes referred to as ''Myrmica bessarabica''. *''

Myrmica sulcinodis ''Myrmica sulcinodis'' is a species of ant Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period ...

'' – A dark red ant characteristic of well-drained heather moorland. *''

Myrmica vandeli ''Myrmica vandeli'' is an ant species found sporadically across several European countries (Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, western Ukraine, and the for ...

'' – A rare red ant found in warm boggy areas. *''

Pheidole megacephala ''Pheidole megacephala'' is a species of ant in the family Formicidae. It is commonly known as the big-headed ant in the USA and the coastal brown ant in Australia. It is a very successful invasive species and is considered a danger to native ant ...

'' * *''

Solenopsis fugax ''Solenopsis fugax'' is a myrmicine ant of the genus '' Solenopsis''. It is the only member of its genus to be native to the British Isles, and although rare, it has been taken by Horace Donisthorpe in a number of localities on England's souther ...

'' thief ant – It has very small yellow workers and nests deep in the ground. It is often associated with ''Lasius flavus'' or ''Formica'' species, from which it steals. *''

Stenamma debile ''Stenamma debile'' is a species of ant Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. M ...

'' – A small and easily overlooked species nesting in woods under stones and in found leaf litter. More common than ''Stenamma westwoodii'' with which it has until recently been confused. *''

Stenamma westwoodii ''Stenamma'' is a genus of cryptic leaf-litter ants that occurs in Mesic habitat, mesic forest habitats throughout the Holarctic region, Central America, and part of northwestern South America (Colombia and Ecuador). Species These 43 species be ...

'' – A small and easily overlooked species less common than ''Stenamma debile'' with which it has, until recently, been confused. *''

Strongylognathus testaceus ''Strongylognathus testaceus'' is a species of slave-making ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae. The species is known from Europe and the Caucasus The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, mainly compr ...

'' – obligate dulote found only with Tetramorium *'' Temnothorax albipennis'' – A small ant found in warm coastal areas nesting in cracks in rocks. *''

Temnothorax interruptus ''Temnothorax interruptus'' is a species of ant belonging to the family Formicidae. Synonyms: * ''Temnothorax interruptus interruptus'' (Schenck, 1852) * ''Leptothorax interruptus'' (Schenck, 1852) * ''Leptothorax interruptus interruptus'' (Sc ...

'' – A small uncommon ant *''

Temnothorax nylanderi ''Temnothorax nylanderi'' is a species of ant in the genus ''Temnothorax ''Temnothorax'' is a genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae. It contains more than 380 species. Biology The workers of ''Temnothorax'' species are generally small. ...

'' – A small ant found in leaf litter in woods. *''

Tetramorium atratulum ''Tetramorium atratulum'' is a rare workerless socially parasitic ant from the Palaearctic region, which has even been introduced together with its host in North America. This extreme inquiline is represented only by female and pupoid type male ...

'' – Previously known as ''Anergates atratulus'', This ant is an obligate workerless parasite found in nests of ''Tetramorium caespitum''. *'' Tetramorium caespitum'' – Tends to be coastal and forms large colonies.

Ponerinae

The petiole is a thickened node and there is often a constriction between the first and second gastral segments. Workers and queens have functional stings. Ponera

*''

Hypoponera punctatissima ''Hypoponera punctatissima'', or Roger's ant, is a species of ant in the family Formicidae. Subspecies These three subspecies belong to the species ''Hypoponera punctatissima'': * ''Hypoponera punctatissima indifferens'' (Forel, 1895) * ''Hypop ...

'' * – A cosmopolitan species occasionally recorded away from buildings. *'' Hypoponera ergatandria'' * – Previously named ''Hypoponera schauinslandi''. A cosmopolitan species rarely recorded away from buildings. *''

Ponera coarctata ''Ponera'' is a genus of ponerine ants. The name is the Latinized form (') of the Ancient Greek ' (, 'wicked, wretched'). Description Workers are very small to small in size (1–4 mm); queen are similar to workers but winged. This genus ...

'' – A primitive ant forming small colonies beneath stones. Found in warm places. *''

Ponera testacea ''Ponera'' is a genus of ponerine ants. The name is the Latinized form (') of the Ancient Greek ' (, 'wicked, wretched'). Description Workers are very small to small in size (1–4 mm); queen are similar to workers but winged. This genus ...

'' – Previously regarded as a variety of ''P. coarctata'', this mainly mediterranean species is scarce further north in Europe, living under stones in open xerothermic sites. Identified and published from a single locality in coastal South East England in 2010, it is now (2016) recorded from a scatter of coastal sites from Cornwall to Suffolk.

References

{{Portal bar, Insects, Biology Great Britain Ants Ants Great Britain

Dolichoderinae Dolichoderinae is a subfamily of ants, which includes species such as the Argentine ant (''Linepithema humile''), the erratic ant, the odorous house ant, and the cone ant. The subfamily presents a great diversity of species throughout the world ...

Formicinae

Myrmicinae Myrmicinae is a subfamily of ants, with about 140 extant genera; their distribution is cosmopolitan. The pupae lack cocoons. Some species retain a functional sting. The petioles of Myrmicinae consist of two nodes. The nests are permanent and ...

Ponerinae

See also

References