Myrmica wesmaeli

There have been no detailed studies of the ecology of M. wesmaeli. It usually is found in the south-eastern part of the Pyrenean mountains where it is most common at altitudes of 1500-1800 m in subalpine pastures. It often nests under stones. Sexuals are present in the nests in July and August so nuptial flights probably occur from August to September. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) – A member of the lobicornis species group (this was stressed by Bondroit 1920a). It differs from the sympatric Myrmica lobicornis and Myrmica lobulicornis by its wider frons and especially by the shape of petiole, which has developed peduncle and concave, not steep anterior surface that meets the dorsal one to form a rounded blunt angle (seen in profile). It well differs from the sympatric Myrmica xavieri by its notched medially anterior clypeal margin and by the its wider frons and less extended frontal lobes.

Key to Myrmica of West Europe and North Africa

Distribution
Iberian Peninsula, France (Pyrenees)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Andorra, China, France, Iberian Peninsula, Portugal, Spain.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  wesmaeli. Myrmica wesmaeli Bondroit, 1918: 106, fig. 54 (w.) FRANCE. Finzi, 1926: 97 (q.m.); Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 324 (m.). Subspecies of sulcinodis: Emery, 1921f: 42; Santschi, 1931b: 340; of scabrinodis: Weber, 1950b: 211. Status as species: Finzi, 1926: 97; Novak & Sadil, 1941: 78. Junior synonym of lobicornis: Bernard, 1967: 122. Revived from synonymy and revived status as species: Seifert, 1988b: 39. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 323.

Male
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - Head longer than broad, with convex sides and occipital margin, and rounded occipital corners; anterior clypeal margin widely rounded and notched medially. Scape long (SI) 0.80, SI2 0.85), quite strongly but not angularly curved at the base, antennae 13-segmented; second funicular segment only slightly longer than the third one. Alitrunk relatively long, scutum slightly convex, scutellum does not project dorsally above scutum when seen in profile. Propodeum with short blunt denticles. Petiole relatively long, with slightly concave and not steep anterior surface and rounded node dorsum; postpetiole higher than long, with convex dorsum.

Head dorsum finely longitudinally striato-rugulose, surface between rugulae densely punctated, appears dull, while clypeus smooth and shiny. Scutum smooth, only with very fine superficial striation posteriorly, scutellum with semiconcentric rugulosity. Sides of pronotum and mesopleura smooth, only catepistern posteriorly with short rugulae, sides of propodeum rugulose. Petiole and postpetiole smooth and shiny.

Head margins and mandibles with numerous, relatively long suberect hairs. Alitrunk, waist and gaster with numerous fine hairs. Scape, tibiae and tarsi with quite dense subdecumbent to suberect pilosity. Body colour blackish-brown, appendages brownish.

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - named for the Belgian entomologist Constantin Wesmael (1798-1872).