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Formica argentea Wheeler, 1912
Silvery Field Ant
Family: Formicidae
Introduction to the Hymenoptera of British Columbia
Introduction to the Ants of BC

Photograph

© Rob Higgins     (Photo ID #2411)

Map

E-Fauna BC Static Map

Distribution of Formica argentea in British Columbia in British Columbia

Introduction


Formica argentea is a medium-sized black or brown ant of the fusca group that typically has a silver sheen noticeable on sunny days (Lupertazzi and Alpert 2012). It is found in North America in southern Canada (Quebec east to British Columbia) and south through the US (SC, OH, IL, IA, SD, NM, AZ and CA) (Klotz et al. 2008). See Lupertazzi and Alpert (2012) for a North American distribution map.

This species is found in open habitats, including pastures and disturbed prairies; it nests in soil (nests are inconspicuous), and is a scavenger and oportunistic predator (AntWeb 2012). It is often attacked by ants in the genus Polyergus (Amazon ants) and is frequently a host for P. breviceps{ (Wild 2012)

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS5No StatusNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Synonyms and Alternate Names

Formica fusca argentea Wheeler, W.M. 1912c

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