Territory, Trail Structure and Activity Patterns in the Wood-Ant, Formica rufa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Limestone Woodland in North-West England

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Abstract
A novel ant counting device is described, incorporating a simple pulse storage system, an ability to count incoming and outgoing ants and the possibility of automatic readout. The existence of territory in F. rufa is confirmed. Aggression between close nests is shown. Estimated territory sizes range from 272-1616 m2. The relevance of territory and trail patterns to intraspecific competition is discussed. Nests may be over-dispersed. Ant activity is diel and probably controlled by a combination of trail surface temperature and nest temperature. No intrinsic rhythm is demonstrated.