Formica puberula

This species nests under stones and logs. It enslaves Formica altipetens, [[Formica  bradleyi,  Formica  densiventris, Formica  fusca, Formica  hewitti, Formica  lasioides, Formica  lepida, Formica  montana, Formica  neoclara, Formica  neorufibarbis, Formica nitidiventris (=Formica pallidefulva)  and Formica  subpolita. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Identification
The scape of this species has appressed to suberect, relatively coarse hairs, giving it a slight bristly appearance. The underside of the head has at least a pair of hairs. The erect hairs on the gaster are about 0.1 mm long, and are of about the same form and density as those on the pronotum. Most hairs have sharp tips. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
Western North America east to Texas.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: Alberta, Canada, United States.

Habitat
In New Mexico (Mackay and Mackay 2002) - Sagebrush scrub and grasslands through mixed forests into ponderosa pine and aspen forests. This species also occurs in urban habitats.

Nomenclature

 *  puberula. Formica sanguinea subsp. puberula Emery, 1893i: 648 (w.) U.S.A. Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 413 (q.m.). Combination in F. (Raptiformica): Emery, 1925b: 260. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 468. Junior synonym of subintegra: Wilson & Brown, 1955: 120. Revived from synonymy: Buren, 1968a: 30.