Red and black ant associated with colony of membracids, Publilia modesta, adults and nymphs, on stems of a small Glycyrrhiza lepidota patch near the stream. At least 10 ants present. One collected. Ruderal floodplain community with Kochia scoparia, Chenopodium simplex, Chenopodium berlandieri, Helianthus annuus, and Cleome serrulata. Mid-afternoon, sunny, 81 F to 85 F, light breeze. Very smoky afternoon with unhealthy air quality.

Elevation ca 4000 feet. Disturbed riparian corridor on stream restoration site within a patchwork of native and non-native grassland.

Identified to genus based on Ellison et al. 2012 (A field guide to the ants of New England). Characteristics included ocelli present; mesosoma lumpy in side view; mandibles not sickle-shaped; and mesosoma lacking large, bristly black hairs. Attempted species ID in Glasier et al. 2013 (Ants of Alberta). Keyed fairly easily to the Formica rufa group. From there, it seemed to come down to either obscuripes or planipilis based on antennal scape without erect hairs along its length; petiole pointed in side view; wings of the clypeus not descending sharply at the posterior margin to form deep clypeal fossae; and erect setae on the middle and hind tibiae. The head does not seem strongly infuscated, but the thorax does - perhaps suggesting planipilis? Help getting to species would be much-appreciated!