Collective body heat warms nest: wood ants

1 of 1 Formica rufa a1 / Adam Opioła / License

Wood ants heat their nests using collective body heat from large groups.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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Biomimetic Application Ideas

Passive heating and cooling of buildings

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"The surface of the nest of wood ants (Formica rufa) has numerous holes which serve as entrances and ventilation holes; at night and in cold weather the ants plug the holes to keep heat in. The workers also keep the slope of the nest at the right angle to obtain maximum amount of solar heat. The ants bring extra warmth into their nests as live heaters by basking in the sun in large numbers and taking the heat energy collected in their bodies into the nest." (Pallasmaa 1995:35)

About the inspiring organism

Formica rufa
Formica rufa Linnaeus, 1761

IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened

Some organism data provided by: ITIS: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Passive heating and cooling of buildings.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Construction

References

Pallasmaa, J. 1995. Animal architecture. Helsinki: Museum of Finnish Architecture. 126 p.

Collective body heat warms nest: wood ants

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