Myrmica ereptrix

This species is known from only a single holotype queen. It is a social parasite in the nest of Myrmica aimonissabaudiae.

Identification
A member of the smythiesii species group (Bharti et al. 2016). This species is distinctive, it has an extremely wide petiole and postpetiole, both with well-developed, large ventral lobes.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Biology
This species is a social parasite of Myrmica aimonissabaudiae.

Castes
Only Queens have been found, males and workers are unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  ereptrix. Myrmica ereptrix Bolton, 1988a: 2, figs. 1, 5 (q.) INDIA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2003a: 236; Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 130.

Description
Radchenko and Elmes (2003) - Measurements and indices (holotype queen). HL 1.20; HW 1.06; SL 0.86; AL 1.96 mm; FI 0.53; FLI 1.02; SI1 0.72, SI2 0.81; PPI 0.92; ESLI 0.36.

Type Material
Holotype female, India: Kashmir, Gulmarg, 20.vii.1986, 2800 m, Picea forest (P. H. Williams).

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - M. ereptrix: from the feminine form of the Latin word ereptor = thief, to indicate that this species is almost certainly a social parasite.