Species: Formica (rufa-group) dakotensis

Taxonomic History (provided by Barry Bolton, 2013)

Distribution:

NW

Biology:

Habitat: In Minnesota and Canada, F. dakotensis is typical in spruce bogs, nesting in Sphagnum peat hummocks. In a prairie patch within an oak woodland in SW Iowa, it was be found by Rericha (unpublished) at the base of shrubs in an area with a perched water table and acidic soil. In Colorado, to the west of Boulder, I found it in a seepy, lower portion of a grassy slope with scattered shrubs and pines at about 7000'. In North Dakota, it was reported by the Wheelers (1963) from grasslands, without further qualification.

Natural History: The dome mound of F. dakotensis consists mostly of small-fragment, vegetable thatch or detritus. In prairie systems, some soil is mounded up and forms the basal foundation for the outer thatch layer. The small queen of this species points to possible temporary social parasitism. I have yet to collect this ant in Missouri, but a photograph of ants on a mound readily identifiable as this species, from a public prairie in northwestern Missouri, was sent to me by a state conservation agent.

Notes:

Likely to be found in northernmost Missouri, as it is known from adjacent Decatur Co., Iowa.

Taxon Page Author History

Taxonomic Treatment (provided by Plazi)

Specimen Data Summary

Found most commonly in these habitats: 1 times found in grassy area, 1 times found in rocky alpine ridge, 1 times found in alpine vegetation, 1 times found in clearcut conifer hillside, 1 times found in open rocky summit

Collected most commonly using these methods or in the following microhabitats: 2 times search

Elevations: collected from 700 - 2680 meters, 2201 meters average

3 Specimens Imaged | View All 11 Specimens for this species

CASENT0005385

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CASENT0102158

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CASENT0280395

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