Formica talbotae

This species is apparently a workerless inquiline. It is found in open prairie, with sandy and well-drained, sloping fields. The density of the nests of its host, Formica obscuripes, is high. The flight season extends from mid-June too late September, with flights occurring in the morning when the temperatures rises above 22°C, and when there is no appreciable wind.

Identification
The queen is very small, approximately one-half the size of the largest major of the host. They are medium yellowish brown, the scape and the tibiae have abundant suberect hairs, the head (dorsum and ventral surface), mesosoma, petiole, and gaster have abundant erect hairs, somewhat of which are spatulate, especially on the mesosoma. The male is only slightly larger than the female.

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



Nomenclature

 *  talbotae. Formica talbotae Wilson, 1977: 277, fig. 1 (q.m.) U.S.A.
 * Status as species: Talbot, 1977: 282; Bolton. 1995b: 205; Coovert, 2005: 155.