Myrmica smythiesii

Found at altitudes between 2100 and 3650 m, where, based on its representation in collections, it is probably quite rare.

Identification
A member of the smythiesii group.

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

Nomenclature

 *  smythiesii. Myrmica smythiesii Forel, 1902c: 226 (w.) INDIA. Radchenko & Elmes, 2002: 37 (q.). Senior synonym of himalayana: Radchenko & Elmes, 2001a: 253. See also: Bingham, 1903: 269; Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 282.
 * himalayana. Myrmica smythiesi subsp. himalayana Weber, 1947: 460 (w.) INDIA. Junior synonym of smythiesii: Radchenko & Elmes, 2001a: 253.

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - this species was dedicated to “Smythies” who collected the material; most probably this was the Englishman Arthur Smythies, who started work for the Indian Forest Service in 1873 retiring from the post of Conservator in 1902, who was the father of the more famous forester and ornithologist E. A. Smythies.