Myrmica hecate

This species lives at altitudes between 1300 and 3700 meters. Its ecology is unknown.

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - a member of the rugosa species group and most resembles Myrmica aimonissabaudiae, differing from the latter by its multidentate mandibles that have more than 10 small teeth.

Distribution
Himalaya

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Nepal.

Biology
This species lives at altitudes between 1300 and 3700 meters. Its ecology is unknown.

Castes
Queen, males and workers are known.

Nomenclature

 *  hecate. Myrmica smythiesi subsp. hecate Weber, 1947: 461 (w.) INDIA. Radchenko & Elmes, 2002: 42 (q.m.). Raised to species: Radchenko & Elmes, 2001a: 250. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 144.

Type Material
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - Described from two workers with the Indian museum labels “sweepings in grass and low herbage, Brunetti, Darjiling, 6,000 feet, 24.1X.08, No. 8607-19” and “Botanical gardens, Darjiling, 6,900 feet, 7.viii.09, C. Pavia, No. 8609-19”. (Harvard).

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - named for Hecate, the Greek goddess of sorcery and witchcraft.