Notes on the Life History and Habits of the Mound‐Building Ant, Formica Ulkei Emery

Abstract

In two sections of the Cook County forest preserve near Chicago, there occur two very large groups of colonies of the ant, Formica ulkei Emery.2 These colonies are located at Palatine and Palos Park, Illinois. The enormous mounds which these ants build attract the attention of anyone passing through these woods. Yet, curiously enough, very little has been known about the life history and habits of this species, and nothing at all about its hibernation, a life history phase of special interest to the writer. The-enormous number of individuals in each nest, the availability throughout the year, the ease with which the ants could be maintained in the laboratory, made them very favorable material for study. Accordingly, observations were begun on their life history, concentrating especially on the hibernation phases. The notes on the life history and habits are herewith presented, while the hibernation studies will be included in another paper.