| Formica obscuripes | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Genus: | Formica |
| Species: | F. obscuripes |
| Binomial name | |
| Formica obscuripes Forel, 1886 |
|
Formica obscuripes (the western thatching ant) is a species of ant in the family Formicidae. Endemic to North America, F. obscuripes produces large mounds covered by small pieces of plant material.[1] The number of adult workers per colony may reach as high as 35,000 - 40,000.[2] F. obscuripes feed upon a number of insect species, consume nectar from homopterous insects they tend, and occasionally eat plant tissue.[1]