After over 120 species of bees and 100 species of wasps recorded in Lancashire it was something of a relief to discover that there are 'only' 17 species of ant documented in the county. Again reporting patterns give a skewed picture of the distribution and it is difficult to believe that there are no ants at all in Rossendale. Such data as exists on sightings and preferred habitat suggests the target species to look out for are the common black and (Lasius niger), Formica lemani and the red ants Myrmica rubra and M ruginodis.

I must confess that part of my interest in ants is related to my bogey bird, the green woodpecker, for whom they are the main source of food.