Izvestiya of Saratov University.
Chemistry. Biology. Ecology
ISSN 1816-9775 (Print)
ISSN 2541-8971 (Online)

Formica

Features Nutrition of Ants of Formica Genus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in the Forest Biotopes in the Vicinity of Saratov

Ants are essential component of ecosystems. They participate in soil formation, regulate the number of insects and spread the seeds of plants. The species of the genus Formica are most noticeable in the forests of the middle zone of Russia. The number and diversity of the prey of ants decreases in the areas experiencing a recreational load. To study the feeding characteristics of ants food objects brought in the anthill were seized. Invertebrates from 12 taxonomic groups were recorded in the prey.

Изменение пищевого спектра муравьев рода Formica s. str. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) на территориях Саратовской области с антропогенной нагрузкой

Ants are essential component of ecosystems. They participate in soil formation, regulate the number of insects and spread the seeds of plants. The species of the genus Formica are most noticeable in the forests of the middle zone of Russia. The number and diversity of the prey of ants decreases in the areas experiencing a recreational load. The study was conducted on the territory of the natural park “Kumysnaya Polyana” (Saratov).