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[Aaron567]

A couple days ago, I found a Formica colony for the first time. I narrowed them down to 2 species. F. dolosa or F. biophilica. These two species look the same to me and I need someone to tell me what their differences are. They seem the same size, and I've put AntWeb pictures of them side by side and I still can't find the differences. Even though some websites say that one of the species has more hairs than the other (or something like that), it isn't even noticeable in pictures. Both species have been found in my area.

 

Formica dolosa

AntWeb Link: https://www.antweb.o...ica&name=dolosa

AntWiki Link: http://www.antwiki.o.../Formica_dolosa

 

Formica biophilica

AntWeb Link: https://www.antweb.o...a&genus=formica

AntWiki Link: http://www.antwiki.o...mica_biophilica

 

These are pictures of the ant I collected.

 

[MrILoveTheAnts]

It's hard to tell without better photos as these two species are very similar looking. Formica biophilica has less pubescence, the smaller less noticeable hairs that often appear as just a slight sheen of texture. Habitat wise F. biophilica is found in well drained prairies, barrens, and open oak and pine forests. Nests underground in poor acid rich soil.

 

Formica dolosa has more pubescence and almost exclusively nests in swamps, wetlands, moist grasslands, and occasionally open woodland. But never in poor acidic soil as F. dolosa does. Color-wise I read they're slightly duller both in hue and overall shininess but these kinds of descriptions can vary depending on what kind of lighting you're in. Looking at the ant web images the difference is too slight to call compared to your photos here so you'll have to judge that yourself.