About Formica cinerea Mayr, 1853
Formica cinerea (workers reach 4–7 mm, or 0.16–0.28 inches in length, while queens reach 8–11 mm, or 0.31–0.43 inches in length). Individuals of this species have a dark gray or silvery body, are large and agile, have extra large eyes, and have dark reddish legs. This species can be easily confused with Formica fusca, Formica fuscocinerea and Formica selysi. Distinguishing between these species is very difficult, and can only be done under a microscope.
This species is distributed across most of Europe, ranging from Spain to western Siberia, and from Scandinavia to the Balkans. It is also present in the Near East and the eastern Palearctic realm, and is absent from the UK.
This species typically builds underground nests in dry, sunny sandy habitats with sparse vegetation. It is often found alongside the ant Lasius psammophilus on sand-dunes. It also occurs in man-made open habitats such as river dams and seaside beaches, and can be found in mountains up to 1800–2500 m above sea level.
