Formica opaciventris

This is an uncommon and ecologically conservative grassland species (Trager, pers. comm.) that lives in soil mounds or mounds with some thatching. In New Mexico it is found in Sagebrush scrub and meadows up to the edge of forests (Mackay and Mackay 2002).

Identification
Workers can be recognized as the posterior border is concave as seen in full-face view, and the propodeum is somewhat angulate as seen in profile. The pronotum has several spatulate hairs and the mesonotum has a few short, bristly hairs. The dorsum of the gaster has many scattered, short, bristly hairs and has sparse, silver, appressed pubescence. This species would be considered a member of the microgyna group if the posterior border was not concave. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

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



Nomenclature

 *  opaciventris. Formica exsectoides var. opaciventris Emery, 1893i: 653 (w.m.) U.S.A. Gregg, 1952b: 14 (q.). Subspecies of exsectoides: Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 484. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 514.