The ants’ New Year has begun

Wood ant nests are already bustling in southern Finland. South facing slopes of nest mounds have been exposed from snow and workers numb with cold are starting activities of the new year.

Despite of the cold winter the wood ants broke the winter dormancy about at the same time as in previous years. In many kitchens small black garden ants have made a false start to spring, but now also outdoor ants are activating.

The new offspring of wood ants is already growing even thought the workers cannot go foraging due to snow. The first larvae are fed with stored food collected in previous autumn. The food is stored in storage workers bodies. The storage workers are able to convert their body fat back into liquid form and regurgitate it as food to growing larvae. After the melt of snow foraging on ground and trees can start.

The project Antspotting in Turku consists of combination of antspotting routes, live ant colonies in terrariums, special ant-themed happenings and exhibitions for children and a unique ant video art.