Formica montana

This ant nests in mounds of soil, occasionally with thatching. Reproductives were found in nests from May to July. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Identification
A light brown, hairy species. The metasternal process is well developed and surrounded with erect hairs. There are numerous erect hairs on the ventral surface of the head, the pronotum, propodeum, petiole and gaster. Many (or most) of the hairs are blunt-tipped. There are few hairs along the side of the head, usually extending anteriorly only to the anterior edge of the eye. The cheek is usually without erect hairs, (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

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



Habitat
In New Mexico (Mackay and Mackay 2002) - Prairies and meadows, up to pinyon-juniper and oak-pine forests.

Fungi
This species is a host for the ectoparastic fungus Laboulbenia formicarum (Espadaler & Santamaria, 2012).

Nomenclature

 *  montana. Formica subpolita var. montana Wheeler, W.M. 1910g: 571 (w.) U.S.A. [First available use of Formica fusca subsp. subpolita var. montana Emery, 1893i: 663; unavailable name.] Francoeur, 1973: 70 (q.m.); Hung, 1969: 455 (k.). Raised to species: Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 529. Senior synonym of neocinerea, rutilans: Creighton, 1950a: 534; Francoeur, 1973: 67.
 * neocinerea. Formica cinerea var. neocinerea Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 399 (in key) (w.q.m.) U.S.A. [Formica cinerea var. neocinerea Wheeler, W.M. 1910g: 571. Nomen nudum.] Subspecies of cinerea: Buren, 1944a: 301. Junior synonym of montana: Creighton, 1950a: 534.
 * rutilans. Formica cinerea var. rutilans Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 399 (diagnosis in key) (w.) U.S.A. [Formica cinerea subsp. cinerea var. rutilans Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 525; unavailable name.] Junior synonym of montana: Creighton, 1950a: 534.