formicary

[ fawr-mi-ker-ee ]

/ ˈfɔr mɪˌkɛr i /

an ant nest.

Origin of formicary

1810–20; < Medieval Latin formīcārium ant hill, noun use of neuter of *formīcārius of, pertaining to ants. See formic, -arium

Sir John Lubbock chloroformed some Lasius niger belonging to his formicary.

The Dawn of Reason |James Weir
At one formicary half a dozen or more young queens were out at the same time.

Animal Intelligence |George J. Romanes
Many also enter the formicary, and begin to carry off the young brood that are left in it.

An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. II (of 4) |William Kirby
Ants may be readily kept in the schoolroom in an artificial nest or formicary and their life-history and habits closely watched.

Elementary Zoology, Second Edition |Vernon L. Kellogg

Another feature evident in disturbing a formicary is the general harmony in which the individuals of any one colony work together.

In the Open |Stanton Davis Kirkham

formicary

/ (ˈfɔːmɪkərɪ) /

less common names for ant hill

C19: from Medieval Latin formīcārium see formic