Aphaenogaster senilis (Mayr, 1853)
Family: Formicidae.
Season May to October. ( Here in Alicante season can go through November and into December, depending on temperatures)
Length: 5 to 7mm (workers)
This species of Ant is native to the Western Mediterranean Basin and is very common throughout the Iberian Peninsula, (except in the north it is not so common).
Habitat: A. senilis prefers humid undergrowth, in open sunny areas, including sand dunes. Will also be found in areas transformed by humans, such as gardens, and parklands. The ant is mainly active throughout the daylight hours, retreats underground more in the hot mid-day sun, can be fairly aggressive to most other insects it comes into close contact with.
In the hot summer months, colonies tend to be on move more, mainly searching for cooler and shaded areas. Found next to Aphaenogaster senilis Ant hills, will be the discarded waste from various insect and arthropods kills. Such as shells, bones (of small mammals) and inedible husks from various plant seeds.
Many species of spiders (in the genus, Zodarion) prey on ants, as well as lizards and birds.