Formica altipetens

This ant nests in the soil with entrances surrounded by a small mound, or under stones and logs, sometimes covered with detritus. Nest populations are large, and the ants are very aggressive when the nest is disturbed. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Identification
The metasternal process of the worker (and female) is well developed and surrounded by hairs. The eyes are large, the maximum diameter is about equal to the distance from the anterior border of the eye to the insertion of the mandible. There is usually a pair of erect hairs on the ventral surface of the head, a few hairs on the vertex, and several blunt-tipped hairs on the propodeum, the mesopleuron is usually without erect hairs, as are the cheeks and posterior lateral corners. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
Canada: Alberta. United States: Montana south to New Mexico, west to California.

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



Habitat
In New Mexico (Mackay and Mackay 2002): Forested and open areas, ranging from meadows, pinyon-pine, ponderosa pines, Gamble oak forests to spruce forests.

Biology
For New Mexico (Mackay and Mackay 2002): Reproductives were found in nests in June and August, flights occurred during the first part of July (sexuals are attracted to lights). It is enslaved by Polyergus breviceps.

Nomenclature

 *  altipetens. Formica cinerea var. altipetens Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 399 (diagnosis in key) (w.) U.S.A. [Formica cinerea subsp. cinerea var. altipetens Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 523 (w.q.m.); unavailable name.] Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1953c: 160 (l.). Subspecies of cinerea: Wheeler, W.M. 1917a: 550; Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, E.W. 1944: 259. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 531. See also: Francoeur, 1973: 52.