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Lasius niger

• Often known as the common black garden ant, L. niger is certainly the most widespread of British ants. In fact, this species is found all around the globe!
• Ants of this species nest nearly everywhere, but prefer dry, warm conditions. Often, nest entrances can be found in cracks in pavements and walls, or in areas of dry ground, colonies may prefer to construct mounds with loose soil.
• Colonies have a single queen, and can grow to around 10,000 workers in size.
• In the wild, L.Niger scavenge for small insects which they catch and kill for food, and they will also "milk" aphids for the sweet honeydew which they secrete. They won't hesitate to obtain sugars from other sources such as fruit.
• Mating flights occur from early July to mid August
• Additional info here

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Lasius flavus

• Another ant found all around the world, L. flavus is no stranger to scotland's land and climate. Also known as the "Yellow Meadow ant", this ant tends to assume residence in fields and other open areas.
• Generally, homes will consist of large mounds, and often there can be more than one of them (this makes L. flavus a "polydomous" species). Though domes appear above ground, species such as L. flavus usually nest deep underground. This means they are subterranean.
• Colonies are founded by one or more queens, after mating flights from late July to August, however large, established colonies rarely have more than one queen.
• This species feed on honeydew from apids which they milk, and on insects.
• Additional info here

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Lasius alienus

• This species' presence in Scotland is significantly less than in Southern England, and although rare, exists nonetheless, specifically on the isle of Mull.
• Though rare, this species posseses a rather interesting characteristic. Ants of this species live in symbiosis with the silver-studded blue butterfly, and care for the butterfly's larvae throughout their development. In return, the ants consume a secretion from the larvae which contains lots of amino acids; essential for the development of the ants'  own larvae. Carbohydrates for this species are obtained from aphids.
• According to some, the species prefers warm, dry nesting habitats, however sources conflict, and experimental data suggests they may prefer wooded areas. Queens fly from July to September, before nesting underground.
• Additional info here

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Lasius umbratus

• This species is rarely found North of central Scotland, but is found distributed around Europe otherwise.
• The first of its kind listed on this site, L. umbratus founds its colonies by adopton of a host species. This means that after mating flights in mid August to late September, queens hunt for established colonies of L. niger, L. brunneus (not found in Scotland), and a few rarer Lasius species. This adoption behaviour can be evident in the wild, where umbratus queens can be found carrying the body of a dead worker belonging to the colony they plan to capture. They spread the scent (pheromones) of the colony (from the worker) on themselves to remain disguised, then kill the queen and take her place.
• this species prefers nesting underground and will forage for invertebrates and farm root-aphids.
• Additional info here

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Formica aquilonia

• Part of a group of four (one of which now extinct in Britain) British "wood ants", F. aquilonia is the most Northern in distribution. Found only in Scotland, in the north and west, this ant nests in mounds of plant matter within caledonian pine and birch forests, with some in oak and spruce. Established nests can be found in shaded areas, and often mounds are part of a complex spanning a large area, with trails between mounds.
• Mating flights are rare, but occur from June to July, however new colonies usually form by the fission (splitting) of a large colony with many queens. If mating is successful, new colonies start in less shaded areas, by temporary parasitism of F. lemani or F. fusca. 
• This species feeds on sweet sap secretions of tree- dwelling aphids, scale insects and whitefly. These insects also provide some protein, and other insects found in the same areas will contribute also.
• Additional info here

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Formica exsecta

• Though its name might sugest otherwise, this species is not described as a wood ant. Like wood ants however, it does build nests with a thatch of plant material. Nests are often built within grass tufts to provide extra support, and the species can be found in Speyside, Deeside and Perthshire in Scotland and in southern England, though the species is rare in general, and is also thought to be endangered.
• Colonies typically have 1-4 queens, and new colonies are formed by the splitting of large colonies, or by temporary social parasitism of other species of Formica, which means newly mated queens start colonies within a host colony, and co-exist there, deceiving the host of their presence. Mating flights, again are rare, but take place once alates are produced in July and August.
• This species enjoys hunting for small insects in low bushes and shrubs, and milking aphids.
• Additional info here

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Formica fusca

• Rarer in Scotland than England, and distributed to localities, F. fusca can be found in wooded areas, or heath and moor where low-lying, woody vegetation exists.
• The species prefers to nest in tree stumps, bark, or under stones.
• Mating occurs on the ground, rather than in the air, though alates still have wings. Alates leave the nest between July and August. Typically, colonies have only one queen.
• Workers of this species hunt for prey individually, in trees and on the ground, and milk aphids for honeydew. Unlike other species, F. fusca workers do not present lines heading to prey as groups.
• Formica sanguinea predate on this species as a social parasite.
• Additional info here

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Formica lemani

• A northern variant of the more southerly F. fusca. Much like its counterpart from the south, this species prefers to nest in sites of wooded areas, or heath and moor. Nests often host multiple queens, and nests can be found in close proximity, with connecting trails of ants.
• This species also mates between July and August, on the ground. Alates of this species also bear wings.
• Just like F. fusca, workers of this species hunt for prey individually, in trees and on the ground, and milk aphids for honeydew.
• Formica sanguinea predate on this species as a social parasite.
• Additional info here

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Formica lugubris

• This species' distribution is centred in northern England, though is also found across Scotland, into the Highlands. Happy to spread, colonies prefer open areas to start nests (young plantation and open canopy mature forests are ideal), however generally woodland with a high volume of deciduous and coniferous trees is preferred once established.
• Mating takes place in June and July, and colonies may be polygynous (even hundereds of queens). Colony budding is the main mechanism of multiplication, a process whereby the colony splits. Less commonly, F. lugubris may establish a nest by temporary social parasitism of F. lemani and F. fusca. 
• This species hunts insects and tends aphids for sustenance.
• Additional info here

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Formica sanguinea

• This species happens to be quite unique, as the only british species belonging to the subgenus "Raptiformica". This subgenus are mainly nearctic (a geographic region covering North America, Greenland, and the Mexican highlands), however this species can be found scattered around the palearctic (Europe, Northern Africa, and NE Asia) region.
• To add to it's fascinating distribution, this species features a striking identifying characteristic. Their black gasters set them apart from other red ants, making them easier to spot in the wild. This species also enjoys nesting in open spaces, again making spotting them easier.
• This species is further interesting, as it is a "slave-making" ant! Workers boost the colony population by stealing the larvae of another Formica species (lemani or fusca) and raising them as their own. Mating occurs in July and August
• Most common in north and north east Scotland and southern England, in areas with sandy soils, such as sheltered heath and woodland. In NE Scotland, is associated with plantations
• Ants of this species feed on honeydew which they obtain from aphids, invertebrates on which they prey, and sometimes on larvae from other nests,
• Additional info here

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Formicoxenus nitidulus

• Thought to be the only European member of the genus Formicoxenus, this "guest ant" resides within the nests of species such as F. aquilonia, F. lugubris and F. rufa. The species may seem quite shy, as they rarely leave the host nest, and mating takes place just on the surface of the nest. However, this species do raise their own brood in seperate chambers to the host.
• Workers mingle within the host nest and obtain food through interception of trophallaxis between host workers.
• Nesting occurs in several chambers of up to 100 F. nitidulus workers and only ever one queen per chamber within the host nest .
• Additional info here

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Leptothorax acervorum

• Found widely throughout Great Britain, these ants prefer inland areas, and will nest either in dead and rotten wood, or underground at the base of heather or under stones.
• Mating occurs in mid summer, and colonies form with no more than a few queens, and may only reach 100 workers.
• Surely due to their smaller colony size, this species prefer to forage without fuss or causing offence to nearby colonies. They are content with scraps from dead animals and insects, and nest litter often from Formica species. They are generally safe from the larger colonies of other species, and often nest in close proximity to others.
• Additional info here

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Myrmica lobicornis

• Apparently fairly rare, this species is thought to be significantly underrecorded in Scotland, suggesting it may be more widespread than understood. However, the species maintains a scattered distribution across Great Britain.
• This species will nest in a vast range of habitat, provided this is suitably undisturbed. Evidence suggests the species may prefer a mountainous/upland area. Nests appear under stones and underground.
• Mating flights take place in late summer, and colonies consist of between a few hundered to a few thousand workers. Colonies tend to have only one queen, somewhat unlike other Myrmica species.
• Information is scarce with regard to this species' diet, althought there is suggestion that this largely relies on scavenged dead invertebrates.
• Additional info here

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Myrmica rubra

• Very common across the British Isles, this species is found scattered across Scotland. It prefers a moist environment, so river banks provide an ideal environment, however this species can be found widely aroud open areas where some shade is provided such as gardens, parks and the edges of woodland.
• Mating flights usually take place during August and September. colonies will consist of 15 queens and more than a thousand workers, on average.
• The "poster boy" of British stinging ants, this species has a nippy sting which it is happy to use on many occasions!
• M. rubra use their sting to hunt, and also gain food from the sweet secretions of sucking insects such as aphids.
• Additional info here

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Myrmica ruginodis

• Vast populations of this species exist across Great Britain. They are unselective when it comes to habitat, and are even considered to be a contender for the honour of Britain's most common ant.
• Mating flights take place in August, with colony structure closely mimicking that of M. rubra; thousands of workers with many queens.
• Though less agressive than M. rubra, they also posess a useful sting, though mostly feed on honeydew from sucking insects.
• Additional info here

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Myrmica sabuleti

• More common in southern England than Scotland, though fairly common overall, this species nests in sandy, warm and dry habitat, under stones or in tree stumps.
• Often polygynous, colonies establish following nuptials in August to early September.
• Food is both scavenged and hunted, with honeydew collected from aphids.
• This species hosts the larva of the Large Blue butterfly (Maculinea arion). More on this here.
• Additional info here

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Myrmica scabrinodis

• Vast populations are found across the UK, as this species occupies a range of habitat, especially more rural areas, and rarely wooded areas. Boggy areas are treated preferentially.
• Mating takes place from July to September, with nests forming in soil, grass tufts, and under stones.
• There is some belief that this species may steal and eat brood from the mounds of other ants, especially Lasius flavus, within which their own nests may be situated. M. scabrinodis also hunt other small insects.
• Additional info here

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Myrmica sulcinodis

• Much less widespread, this species does however prefer a habitat readily available in Scotland- the heather coated mountainous uplands provide the perfect well drained, exposed areas for this species to nest. They are characteristically dark red in colour.
• Nuptial flights take place from August to early September. Colonies are monogyne and usually very small, reaching only a few hundered workers.
• Nests are under stones or in exposed ground, while some include small mounds. This species prefers the warmth provided by exposed areas, and the stoney rock surface of the mountains promotes heat retention.
• The habitat is also supportive of large populations of aphids, so this is a possible food source, while the species also forage for small insects.
• Additional info here