This species is very similar in appearance, size (4-7 mm) and nesting habits to Formica fusca, but was firmly described and keyed by Yarrow in I954. Workers differ from those of F. fusca by the presence of short stubby hairs on the promesonotal dorsum which is usually bare in F. fusca, and there are good diagnostic differences in males and queens (Skinner & A llen 1990).
Editor's note. The original profile combined the two species F. fusca and F. lemani but this… Read more