Formica mucescens

Identification
This species can be recognized as there are few hairs on the tibiae, where they are restricted to two rows on the flexor surface. The gaster is covered with short, bristly hairs, in which the distance between the tips is less than the lengths of the hairs. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
United States. Utah and Colorado.

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

Habitat
Found in open prairies up to ponderosa pine forests. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Biology
Nest site selected in areas of moderate to sparse cover. Nest begun under log or stone with many of the passages running into the soil. Moderate use made of thatching, often little of this visible on the outside of the nest. Large domes or heaps of thatching rarely produced (Creighton, 1940).

Nomenclature

 *  mucescens. Formica truncicola subsp. mucescens Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 442 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Subspecies of rufa: Creighton, 1940a: 3. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 491.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Allred D. M. 1982. Ants of Utah. The Great Basin Naturalist 42: 415-511.
 * Allred, D.M. 1982. The ants of Utah. Great Basin Naturalist 42:415-511.
 * Bestelmeyer B. T., and J. A. Wiens. 2001. Local and regional-scale responses of ant diversity to a semiarid biome transition. Ecography 24: 381-392.
 * Gregg, R.T. 1963. The Ants of Colorado.