Formica comata

This is a very aggressive ant species with large colony size in the Formica rufa group. It builds low mounds of earth and grass covered by a thin layer of thatch. Found in the southwest, this ant forages for a variety of insect prey.

Identification
Head, excluding the mandibles as broad as long. Mandibles 8-toothed. Mandibles finely and densely striate. Clypeus carinate, with broadly rounded anterior border. Erect hairs absent on the antennal scapes. Erect hairs present on the flexor surface of the femora and tibiae.

This ant species is closely allied with Formica ciliata.

Mackay and Mackay (2002) - The workers of this species can be recognized by the numerous snort, erect hairs on the underside of the head (Fig. 402), and by the abundant, short, bristly hairs on the dorsum of the gaster (Fig. 404). The dorsum of the gaster is covered with a dense layer of fine, appressed, silver hairs.

Distribution
United States. Arizona and New Mexico.

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

Habitat
Grasslands, Ponderosa pine forest, sagebrush.

Biology
Sexuals were found in nests in July.

There is no published account of the biology of this species. Refer to species in the rufa group for general biology. Nests are active from early summer until late October near Flagstaff, Arizona. Foragers are often found on vegetation but appear to be omnivorous in their diet.

Nomenclature

 *  comata. Formica comata Wheeler, W.M. 1909e: 85 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. See also: Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 454.