Workers are generally about 4–7 mm.
Fine-art photographic collection
Formica cinerea
A fast-running field ant of sand, gravel and open sunlit ground.
About this species
Formica cinereaMayr, 1853
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Formica cinerea is a ground-nesting field ant associated with open, well-drained habitats. Workers forage rapidly across bare or sparsely vegetated soil.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Formica
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Europe and western AsiaBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Much of Europe and western Asia.
River banks, dunes, heath, quarries, roadsides and other sandy or gravelly habitats.
Strongly diurnal in suitable temperatures.
Honeydew, nectar, carrion and live arthropods.
Ground nests may contain one or several queens and can become locally dense.
What makes this species remarkable?
Long legs and rapid running suit open habitats where cover is limited.
Colonies help redistribute soil while excavating extensive underground galleries.
Workers defend nest areas aggressively against competing ants.