A technique for the translocation of ant colonies and termite mounds to protect species and improve restoration efforts

Abstract

Abstract Ant colonies or termite mounds, particularly of rare species, sometimes require translocation for conservation of the species and their associated fauna. Translocations often increase the species richness of the receptor habitat. A wide range of appropriate grabs, causing least colony disturbance, can be fitted to maneuverable compact loaders. Compact loaders allow rapid nest transport between donor and receptor sites. We discuss the advantages of this technique. In this case a tree spade attached to a compact loader was used to rapidly insert occupied Lasius flavus ant‐hills into a recipient site 1 km away. The colonies had all survived 18 months later despite two lengthy droughts.

Keywords

• ant‐hills
• ecological engineers
• grasslands
• Lasius flavus
• social insects
• translocation