Solarium (myrmecology)
In myrmecology, a solarium is an above-ground earthen structure constructed by some ant species for the purpose of nest thermoregulation and brood incubation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Solaria are usually dome-shaped and fashioned from a paper-thin layer of soil, connected to the main nest by way of subterranean runs. Some species, such as Formica candida, construct solaria using plant materials.<ref>Munns L. and Cantarello E., 2016. Survey of black bog ant (Formica candida) nests in the New Forest and at Roydon Woods, 2016. Report, May- October 2016. BUG2717. Higher Level Stewardship Agreement The Verderers of the New Forest AG00300016</ref>
Tapinoma erraticum is an example of a solaria-constructing species whose skill at so doing was noted by Horace Donisthorpe in the early 20th century in his book British Ants, their Life Histories and Classification.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>