NUPTIAL, PRENUPTIAL, AND POSTNUPTIAL ACTIVITY OF THE THATCHING ANT, FORMICA OBSCURIPES FOREL, IN COLORADO

Observations and excavations of thatching ant nests from 1990 to 1994 at 2560 m in Colorado provided information on the numbers and behavior of males and winged and wingless queens. Nuptial activity was compare d to that reported hv other investigators at lower altitudes. Reproduc tives were observed from 24 June to 15 August. Activity was greatest i n 1993 when reproductives were on 10 of 98 mounds in the area. Mating and swarming occurred on rabbitbrush 1 m from 1 nest 2-6 July The numb er of wingless queens in 4 excavated nests varied from 0 to 198.