Myrmica phalacra

Two workers and two gynes were found on mountain meadows at the altitudes ca. 2000 m.

Identification
M. phalacra belongs to the pachei species group. It is characterized by the quite coarse transversal sinuous rugosity (numbering < 20) on the mesonotal and propodeal dorsum and by the absence of the decumbent hairs on the lateral margins of head posterior to the eyes. In some respects, it resembles Myrmica hlavaci, but differs from it by partly reduced rugosity on the head dorsum, where the frons (level with the eyes) has < 15 fine, slightly sinuous longitudinal rugae, with only some of them extending unbroken to the occipital margin. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution
Known only from the type locality from Shaanxi Province of China.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Males have yet to be collected.

Nomenclature

 *  phalacra. Myrmica phalacra Radchenko & Elmes, 2009a: 74, figs. 21-30 (w.q.) CHINA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 216.

Type Material
Holotype, w, China, Shaanxi Prov., Qin Ling Shan, 118 km E Xian, 110°06'E, 34°25'N, Stop 1950-2000 m, No. 969, 19.viii.1995, leg. Wrase (Kiev); paratypes: 1 w and 2 q with the same label as holotype (Kiev, Elmes, Schulz).

Etymology
From the Greek word phalachros = bald, to describe the complete absence of hairs, even subdecumbent ones, on the sides on the head.