Myrmica

A common and abundant element of Holoartic ant faunas, especially at higher latitudes.

Identification
Eguchi, Bui and Yamane (2011) - The worker of Myrmica is somewhat similar to those of Aphaenogaster (see under Aphaenogaster) and Tetramorium. However, in the worker of Tetramorium, the tibial spurs of the middle and hind legs are simple or absent, and the apex of sting bears a small lamellate appendage.

Species groups have proven useful to help organize the often difficult to determine species into more manageable subsets of species. Diagnostic treatments of these groups, and list of species assigned to each group, for many Myrmica species are found here: Myrmica Species Groups. This page does not provide coverage of the North American Myrmica fauna. Some contemporary, albeit preliminary, species group work for North American Myrmica species is found here: Myrmica Species Groups of North America

Species Group Keys

 * Key to Myrmica inezae species group
 * Key to punctiventris-group Myrmica species

Fossil Species Key

 * Key to Myrmica fossils

Biology
Numerous European species are parasitized by Phengaris butterflies. Maturing caterpillars of various species move into the nests of certain Myrmica species and prey on ant brood. They are also able to solicit food from and be fed via trophallaxis.

Vietnam
Eguchi, Bui and Yamane (2011) - Myrmica species have so far been found exclusively in the mountains of Fan Si Pan above approximately 1,700 m alt. They inhabit sparse to well-developed forests and nest in rotting logs, wood fragments, under stones, in soil around tree bases, etc. Workers forage on the ground and lower vegetation.

Nomenclature

 *  MYRMICA [Myrmicinae: Myrmicini]
 * Myrmica Latreille, 1804: 179. Type-species: Formica rubra, by subsequent designation of Latreille, 1810: 437; see also Yarrow, 1955b: 113.
 * Myrmica senior synonym of Dodecamyrmica: Francoeur, 1981: 759.
 * Myrmica senior synonym of Paramyrmica, Sifolinia (and its junior synonym Symbiomyrma), Sommimyrma: Bolton, 1988a: 3; Bolton, 2003: 221.
 * Myrmica senior synonym of †Nothomyrmica: Radchenko, Dlussky & Elmes, 2007: 1495.
 * DODECAMYRMICA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
 * Dodecamyrmica Arnol'di, 1968: 1803 [as subgenus of Myrmica]. Type-species: Myrmica arnoldii, by original designation.
 * Dodecamyrmica junior synonym of Myrmica: Francoeur, 1981: 759.
 * †NOTHOMYRMICA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
 * †Nothomyrmica Wheeler, W.M. 1915h: 60. Type-species: †Macromischa rudis, by original designation.
 * [†Nothomyrmica Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 413, and Wheeler, W.M. 1910g: 167, nomina nuda.]
 * †Nothomyrmica junior synonym of Myrmica: Radchenko, Dlussky & Elmes, 2007: 1495.
 * PARAMYRMICA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
 * Paramyrmica Cole, 1957a: 37. Type-species: Paramyrmica colax, by original designation.
 * Paramyrmica junior synonym of Myrmica: Bolton, 1988a: 3.
 * SIFOLINIA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
 * Sifolinia Emery, 1907: 49. Type-species: Sifolinia laurae, by monotypy.
 * Sifolinia senior synonym of Symbiomyrma: Samsinak, 1964: 156.
 * Sifolinia junior synonym of Myrmica: Bolton, 1988a: 3.
 * SOMMIMYRMA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
 * Sommimyrma Menozzi, 1925d: 25. Type-species: Sommimyrma symbiotica, by original designation.
 * Sommimyrma junior synonym of Myrmica: Bolton, 1988a: 3.
 * SYMBIOMYRMA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
 * Symbiomyrma Arnol'di, 1930c: 267. Type-species: Symbiomyrma karavajevi, by monotypy.
 * [Symbiomyrma also described as new by Arnol'di, 1933a: 41.]
 * Symbiomyrma junior synonym of Sifolinia: Samsinak, 1964: 156.
 * Symbiomyrma revived from synonymy: Seifert, 1994: 15; Seifert, 1996: 236.
 * Symbiomyrma junior synonym of Myrmica: Bolton, 1988a: 3; Bolton, 1995b: 47; Bolton, 2003: 222; Radchenko & Elmes, 2003: 219.