Myrmica eidmanni

Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - Despite M. eidmanni being widely distributed in the Taiga Zone, it avoids dense forests and is more common at relatively low altitudes in anthropogenic environments (the highest altitude recorded is 2100 m). Its preferred habitats are grasslands, forest clearings, roadsides, riverbanks, sandy lakeshores and peat bogs but it lives also in sparse forests (pine, larch) and their edges and glades, where it builds nests in the soil, often under stones, and in soil and moss mounds (Dmitrienko, Petrenko 1976; Kupyanskaya 1990). Colonies are moderately polygynous (ranging from 1-5 queens) and contain on average 500 workers. Sexual forms emerge in July-August, nuptial flight in August-September.

Identification
A member of the lobicornis complex of the lobicornis species group. Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - M. eidmanni is distributed from Altai Mts. to the Pacific Ocean and was previously determined by most Russian entomologists as M. jessensis (see Radchenko 2005). It is closely related to Myrmica jessensis, which is mainly distributed in Japan, but clearly differs from the latter by its wider frons and less extended frontal lobes (see Notes for M. jessensis).

Key to Myrmica of species of East Siberia, Russian Far East, Mongolia, Korean Peninsula, northern China, and Japan

Distribution
South Siberia (from Altai Mt. in the west), Mongolia, Russian Far East, Korean Peninsula, NE China.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Russian Federation.

Nomenclature

 *  eidmanni. Myrmica eidmanni Menozzi, 1930d: 331, fig. 3 (w.) RUSSIA. Subspecies of scabrinodis: Weber, 1950b: 204. Revived status as species and senior synonym of littoralis: Radchenko, 2005b: 139. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 127.
 * littoralis. Myrmica lobicornis subsp. littoralis Weber, 1948a: 287 (w.q.m.) RUSSIA. [First available use of Myrmica scabrinodis subsp. lobicornis var. littoralis Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1928b: 33; unavailable name.] Junior synonym of jessensis: Kupyanskaya, 1986a: 85; of eidmanni: Radchenko, 2005b: 139; Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 127.

Etymology
M. eidmanni: dedicated to Mennozzi's friend, the entomologist and expeditionist Prof. Hermann A. Eidmann (1897-1949) of the University of Gottingen. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)