Inconspicuous insects also like the hot and dry climate of the Tauglgries. One fourth of all Austrian ant species have been documented here.

A total of 27 ant species have been found and identified in the Tauglgries thus far. They colonize the sandy soils of the high terraces as well as the forest soils. Particularly striking are the high density of the nests and the large biomass (large colonies), especially of Manica rubida, Formica fuscocinerea und Myrmica contricta (= hellenica), as investigations conducted by Sonja Weber in 1998 and 1999 have shown.

Like the grasshoppers, the ants need open bare ground with very little vegetation cover. They therefore benefit from the management measures for the grasshopper species.

large myrmicine ant - Manica rubida

Lebensader-Taugl-Manica-Rubida Can be found from the lowlands to the mountains, where it nests in sandy-gravely soils and under stones. It is generally non-aggressive, but can give a painful sting.




Large black-grey - Formica fuscocinerea

Lebensader-Taugl-Formica-Fuscocinerea The 5 to 7 mm large black-grey slave ant Formica fuscocinerea. It replaces the forest ants in the bank zone and is highly aggressive: By biting them in the neck, it can also overpower larger ants and wipe out colonies of the large myrmicine ant (Manica rubida).


 The river ant - Myrmica conStricta = Myrmica hellenica

Lebensader-Taugl-Myrmica-Contricta The river ant Myrmica constricta is a thermophilic species. It is found in the lowlands and hills. This species occurs in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland and is a sister species of Myrmica hellenica (and was classified as such prior to 2009).