Scottish wood ant  (Formica aquilonia)

The main threats facing this species in Britain include the widespread loss of undisturbed native pine woodland and unsuitable management of remaining woodland (4). Modern forestry techniques, including under planting with non-native tree species are detrimental to this and other species of wood ant, as they cause too much shade for the ants to prosper. Disturbance, the use of insecticides and overgrazing are also problems (3).

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has identified this species as Lower Risk- near threatened. It is listed as a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). The Species Action Plan for this ant aims to maintain all current populations and the present range of the species in the UK (4). Research into the habitat requirements and ecology of this species is underway; it is hoped that the results of these studies will guide successful conservation action in the future (3). Wood ants are known to be ‘key-stone’ species in the ecosystems of which they are a part, playing a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance between organisms in the ecosystem. When wood ants are lost from an area, this delicate balance is disrupted. For example many species that the ants prey upon in turn feed on the needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), so the loss of the wood ant may have disastrous results. Their conservation is therefore of the utmost importance, not only for the species itself, but for the entire Caledonian Forest they inhabit and all the species relying on that habitat (3).