Changes in nests density and feeding habits of southern wood ant (Formica rufa L.) in sŞerif Yüksel Research Forest

Southern wood ants (Formica rufa L.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) have an important place in the insect class. Besides their important tasks of ecosystems in their healthfully functioning, they are among the most studied groups due to the usage in biological fight against forest pests. However, the studies conducted in our country are very inadequate. The nests are generally more common at the edges of the sparse inner forest clearance where the area is not fully endorheic and on the less sloping areas. The ants in the southern regions, where there is plenty of sun and low humidity, are less frequent and smaller than those of the shady and humid northern slopes. Primarily, the natural distribution areas of Formica rufa in our country forests, life style, nest density in the unit area ought to be determined. Determining nutritional habits in the natural habitats of F. rufa, which is used as an active organism particularly in the forestry of our country, within the scope of biological fight; it is extremely significant in terms of making become these studies more efficient. The information will be useful for field administrators. This Study in Serif Yuksel Research Forest is located within the borders of Aladağ Forestry Operation Directorate in Bolu Forestry Regional Directorate in 2012-2014, its natural spread in our country, has been made to reveal the changes of nest density and feeding habits of Southern Wood Ants (F. rufa). In this research, Formica rufa L. can move away up to 60 m from the nest and therefore by considering the fact that they act in approximately 1 ha of the area and the sampling areas were taken as 1 ha. Direct and indirect observations have been made in the sampling areas. In each sampling area, nesting densities have been determined and also information on feeding habits has been gathered in six consciously selected active nests. In the study area that is 1544 ha in total, 154 test areas have been scanned and 679 ant nests have been determined in 131 of these areas. In the research area, the dominant tree species is Uludag fir and the second type is Scotch pine. There are also black pine, oak, beech and aspen poplar species. There are juniper species in the bottom and close to the lower layer of stand. The ant nests found in the research forest have been determined to be mostly found in the fir and the least ratio in the quaking aspen. All of the nests which have been made measurement in the study area have been active and the new nests have been found to be 2/5. It has been concluded that approximately 1/2 of the nests are suitable for transportation due to their large size. A large proportion of the nests have been determined in the study area have found to be higher ratio in 2 and 3 closed b and c pure fir stands. It has been determined that ants have not prefer clearance and thick endorheic. In addition, F. rufa; it has been determined more common that they have been nested in 1450-1550 m elevation step of which slope 2 °- 20 ° mild, medium and steep slopes. Among the places preferred by ants for the nest, respectively; tree stump, overturned trunk, bottom of the standing trunk and shrub were preferred. It has been also determined that Formica rufa mostly preferred respectively the southern, western, southwestern and southeastern slopes. The data gathered has been evaluated by statistical analysis. In the forests of the study area, bear and pigs stand out as the most important natural enemies of southern wood ants. These creatures are harmful in terms of to be broken up the ant nests.