Arango Gutiérrez, Gloria PatriciaPiedrahita Vera, Lina María2012-04-162012-04-1620041794-4449http://hdl.handle.net/10567/168Introduction: The organisms that belong to Formicidae family are biologically and ecologically important in the vegetal material´s decomposition process generated in the Corporación Universitaria Lasallista, in Caldas, Antioquia, Colombia. Objective: By a taxonomic identification of each collected species, we aimed to determine and evaluate all of the different functions and behaviors they perform in the transformation of compost, in order to use the information as a parameter to establish an optimum quality and production standard for that compost. Materials and Methods: The organism’s samples were obtained by the falling traps method. This collection process was made during the months of March, April and May of 2003. They were cured and later identified by using the Serna´s and Vergara´s taxonomy keys. Results: Five sub-families of ants were found in the Corporación Universitaria Lasallista´s composters: ECITONINAE, PONERINAE, MYRMICINAE and FORMICIDAE.Conclussion: A big number of ant species were found, probably due to the high presence of other insects which are a food source for ants that usually hunt other kinds of arthropods.esMesofaunaCorporación Universitaria LasallistaHormigas (Familia Formicidae)Hormigas (Ecitoninae)Hormigas (Ponerinae)Hormigas (Myrmicinae)CompostResiduos sólidosResiduos sólidos - AprovechamientoArticle