Myrmica rupestris

M. rupestris has been collected at relatively higher altitudes than Myrmica rugosa, between 2100 and 4100 m. Nests are built in soil, often under stones, in open deciduous and mixed forests, and places with steppe-like vegetation (Philip Ward, pers. comm.). Like M. rugosa, queens and males have been found in nests of M. rupestris from the end of May to the end of June, much earlier than in Euro-Siberian species. this species is host to the social parasite Myrmica nefaria.

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - A member of the rugosa-group (see also Radchenko and Elmes 2001 b). It differs from most other members of this group, Myrmica rugosa, Myrmica aimonissabaudiae and Myrmica hecate, by the much coarser sculpture on its petiole and postpetiole; M. rupestris most resembles Myrmica foreliana, from which it differs by the lack of punctations on the surface of the head and alitrunk between rugae.

Distribution
India, Nepal, Bhutan, NE Afghanistan.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Bhutan, India, Nepal. Palaearctic Region: Afghanistan, China.

Nomenclature

 * debilior. Myrmica rugosa var. debilior Forel, 1902c: 228 (w.) INDIA. Senior synonym of rugososmythiesi: Forel, 1902c: 228. Junior synonym of rupestris: Radchenko & Elmes, 2001a: 245.
 * rugososmythiesi. Myrmica rugosa var. rugososmythiesi Forel, 1902c: 228 (w.) INDIA. Junior synonym of debilior: Forel, 1902c: 228.
 *  rupestris. Myrmica smythiesii var. rupestris Forel, 1902c: 227 (w.) INDIA. Radchenko & Elmes, 2002: 44 (q.m.). Raised to species and senior synonym of debilior (and its junior synonym rugososmythiesi), everesti : Radchenko & Elmes, 2001a: 245. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 246.
 * everesti. Myrmica everesti Donisthorpe, 1929a: 445 (w.) TIBET. Junior synonym of rupestris: Radchenko & Elmes, 2001a: 245.

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - name from the Latin word rupes = rock with the adjectival suffix estris = origin or habit, probably to indicate that it was found under a rock or in a rocky place.