Ants

The ant species known to be on Dun Coillich are -

Formica lugubris, Lasius niger, Lasius flavus 

Ants and aphids

Both Formica lugubris and Lasius niger have been observed tending the aphid Aphis sorbi which creates curled leave galls on Rowan trees. The aphids are comcealed within these galls and the ants crael into them to gather honeydew which is excreted by the aphid.

The single Formica lugubris nest is near an old Rowan tree not far from the water intake for the Keltneyburn hydro scheme. The ants climb the old tree in search of aphids but they also  climb the young Rowan saplings which are now developing near their nest. 

The Lasius flavus ant hills are to be found beside the path at 'Adder Alley'. These small yellow ants spend most of their time underground where they tend root aphids which are mostly feeding on the roots of grasses.

There is an interesting relationship between a number of ant species and a number of plant species in that the plants have seeds, one end of which is rich in lipids and protein and which are attractive to ants. The ants then inadvertently disperse the seeds. The attractive structure on the seed is known as an elaiosome and the dispersal of the seeds by ants is called myrmecochory.

Below is a list of UK plant species that have this relationship with ants.

Elaiosomes are the fleshy, nutrient-rich appendages on seeds that attract ants, which then disperse the seeds (a process called myrmecochory). In the UK, quite a few plants rely on ants in this way. Here are the main groups:

UK Plants with Elaiosomes on Seeds

Woodland flowers (especially spring ephemerals):

• Violets (Viola spp. – including Viola riviniana (common dog-violet), V. odorata (sweet violet), V. hirta)

• Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa)

• Wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides)

• Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)

• Cow Wheat (Melampyrum pratense)

• Small Cow Wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum)

Other wildflowers and herbs:

• Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) – naturalised but classic elaiosome seeds

• Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

• Celandines (Ficaria verna, formerly Ranunculus ficaria)

• Corydalis (Corydalis claviculata, climbing corydalis; C. solida in some gardens/naturalised)

• Greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) and other Stellaria species

• Primroses (Primula vulgaris) and cowslips (Primula veris)

Shrubs & trees:

• Gorse (Ulex spp.)

• Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Erica spp.

• Some sedges and grasses (though less prominent)

Notes

• Many of these species occur in ancient woodland or semi-natural grassland, where ants are common and seed dispersal by them is effective.

• Elaiosomes contain lipids and proteins that are attractive food for ants; the ants take the seed to their nest, eat the elaiosome, and discard the seed underground, aiding germination.

• In the UK, Myrmica ants are especially important dispersers.