University of Alberta Museums Search

Scientific Name Formica obtusipilosa Habitat Prefer dry open prairies and badlands (Sharplin, 1966, and Wheeler and Wheeler, 1963). Seasonality Found through May to September. Identification

Workers are ~3.5-7.0 mm in length, and have a dark red head and thorax with a moderately shiny gaster (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1963). Clypeus has a median notch that is the trait of the sanguinea group of Formica. …

Workers are ~3.5-7.0 mm in length, and have a dark red head and thorax with a moderately shiny gaster (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1963). Clypeus has a median notch that is the trait of the sanguinea group of Formica. Dorsum of thorax has erect hairs and gaster is covered in long, erect silver hairs (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1963).

Read More + Life History Are facultative slave making ants and readily raid Formica neogates nests for brood. Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info Omnivorous, but predate heavily on insects; will also farm aphids. Range Restricted to the interior west of North America, from southern Alberta to New Mexico, right up to the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains and east to North Dakota (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1963).