Formica bradleyi

This widely distributed species is a sand specialist, being found almost exclusively in deep sand deposits.

Identification
The only member of the neogagates group that is concolorous yellowish red. The entire ant, including the appendages, is covered with bristly, white hairs, except for the scape, which is without erect hairs. The surfaces are shiny and the anterior border of the clypeus is concave, nearly notched. The male is unusual as it has a shiny head and mesosoma.

Distribution
Canada: Alberta, Manitoba. United States: Minnesota, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado.

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



Habitat
Found only in very sandy soils at base of grass clumps (DuBois and Danoff-Burg, 1994).

Nomenclature

 *  bradleyi. Formica bradleyi Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 423 (w.m.) U.S.A. Wheeler, W.M. 1917a: 535 (q.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1953c: 168 (l.). Combination in F. (Raptiformica): Emery, 1925b: 259. Senior synonym of morbida: Wilson & Brown, 1955: 126. See also: Smith, D.R. 1979: 1449.
 * morbida. Formica (Proformica) neogagates var. morbida Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 400 (in key) (w.q.) U.S.A. [Formica (Proformica) neogagates subsp. neogagates var. morbida Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 538; unavailable name.] Subspecies of neogagates: Buren, 1944a: 309. Junior synonym of neogagates: Creighton, 1950a: 459; of bradleyi: Wilson & Brown, 1955: 126.