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Scientific Name Formica argentea Habitat Found in mostly grassland habitats but also urban lawns and cultivated fields. Seasonality Found through May to September. Identification

Workers are ~3.5-6.5 mm in length and are a black, with reddish undertones, which can be seen most easily in the appendages. Their gulae lack erect hairs, the hairs on the first tergite of the abdomen are numerous…

Workers are ~3.5-6.5 mm in length and are a black, with reddish undertones, which can be seen most easily in the appendages. Their gulae lack erect hairs, the hairs on the first tergite of the abdomen are numerous and pubescence on the abdomen creates a shiny silvery luster (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1977).

Read More + Life History Colonies of this species commonly have up to three queens and consist of thousands sometimes tens of thousands of workers. (Snyder, 1993). Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info Omnivorous but are also above ground aphid farmers (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1977). Range Found most commonly in the western half of North America but found as far east as Massachusetts (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1977). In Alberta it is most commonly found in the central and southern regions. Notes These ants are similar in form to both Formica fusca and Formica subsericea when looking at with the naked eye.