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Scientific Name Formica obscuripes Habitat Nest in grasslands devoid of cover (Creighton, 1950). Seasonality Found through May to September. Identification

Workers are ~3.2-7.5 mm in length, with dark brown head, dark reddish brown thorax and black abdomen (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1963). Erect hairs are present on the hind tibia and cover all surfaces, the erect hairs on…

Workers are ~3.2-7.5 mm in length, with dark brown head, dark reddish brown thorax and black abdomen (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1963). Erect hairs are present on the hind tibia and cover all surfaces, the erect hairs on the thorax are unequal and cephalic hairs are just slightly less abundant as on the thorax (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1963).

Read More + Life History Not well known, are thought to be temporary social parasites on other Formica rufu group species. Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info Omnivorous, but predate heavily on insects; will also farm aphids. Range As far south as Colorado, east to Wisconsin and north to northern British Columbia (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1963). In Alberta are found in the prairie regions (Sharplin, 1966).