Formica
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| very many, see text |
Formica is a genus of ants generally referred to as the wood ants. The better known species have common names that usually include the words "wood ant", but the commonest species in any particular area is likely to be referred to simply as the "wood ant". As their name implies, they tend to live in wooded areas.
There are many species of wood ants (ITIS records nearly 200). Some species (e.g. the Red Wood Ant, Formica rufa, common in England) make large visible nests of dry plant stems, leaves, or pine needles. Wood ants typically secrete formic acid; F. rufa can squirt the acid from its rear end if alarmed. They can be relatively large: F. rufa workers are about 10mm long.
Formica® is a brand of plastic laminates. It is particularly used for kitchen surfaces, as it is heat-resistant and wipe-clean.
