Biogeography and habitat preferences of red wood ants of the Formica rufa group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Finland, based on citizen science data

Red wood ants (RWA) of the Formica rufa group are ecosystem engineers and important species in boreal temperate forests. However, permanent temporal loss forest habitats is a serious threat to their existence likely increase with climate change. Due current losing species, quick actions needed. Reported here biogeography, relative abundance habitat preferences five RWA Finland based on citizen science data. Species that occur lowlands Alps also throughout southern parts Finland. Only two F. aquilonia Yarrow, 1955 lugubris Zetterstedt, 1838, were common country, including northern Lapland. As name suggests, RWAs mostly forests edges, but they sometimes inhabit open or semi-open yards, mires meadows. The most forest-specialist least Linnaeus, 1761. Surprisingly, meadow ant pratensis Retzius, 1783 second dwelling however, its preference for edges clearly higher than interiors. Based data, may be tolerant living close buildings as yards was much other species. data obtained distributions abundances could compared future results similar surveys detect changes distributions, preferences.