Bohemian Gate Trail
Strážiště – the ant hill
In the region of the Gateway to Bohemia, between the villages of Velké
Žernoseky, Libochovany and Kamýk, is the basalt mountain Strážiště. In the
sparse birch forests here one can find very large colonies of southern wood ants
(Formica rufa). Ants of this species usually do not form larger colonies, but in
the most vigourous colonies in this area up to a million ants can live, in
mounds built using material from plants.
Ants have their own family Formicidae (crawlers) in the order Hymenoptera
(heavy-winged insects). This family is divided into more than 20 sub-families
across the world, of these 5 are found in the Czech Republic (Ponerinae,
Proceratiinae, Myrmicinae, Dolichoderinae and Formicinae). All species of
Formica here are registered as specially protected species of wild animals.
In 2009 the local ant colonies suffered a catastrophe. It was found that almost
90% of all ant-hills were damaged or destroyed. Experts believe that the reason
is a population boom in wild boars. In spite of this, the ant-hills are now
recovering – the ants are resettling old hills and even creating new ones.
Based on research findings, conservationists are working to help the forest
ants. Nests are protected by fences, so that the wild boars cannot get at them.
Forest habitats are cleared to give the ants more light and warmth. Surrounding
vegetation that can dampen ant-hills is cleared to increase survival rates.
Strážiště
Anthill
View of Velké Žernoseky from Strážiště
Contact
Památky jinak, o.s.
Věra Gruntorádová
Tel.:774114586
e-mail:pamatkyjinak@gmail.com
http://www.pamatky-jinak.webnode.cz
