Myrmica bibikoffi

Bibikoff found all castes of this species living independently, but the two other colony samples were collected in the nests of Myrmica sabuleti where only workers of the host species were found. This suggests that M. bibikoffi might be a temporary social parasite, which in some ecological situations can only survive as a permanent social parasite. (Radchenko and Elmes 2003)

Identification
This quite conspicuous species clearly belongs to the scabrinodis-group. M. bibikoffi is characterized by strongly reduced spurs on the hid and mid tibiae, a coarse reticulated sculpture on head and alitrunk, wide postpetiole of workers and queens, and hairy body. It is similar to Myrmica hirsuta and shares the same host, Myrmica sabuleti. Queens are larger than those of M. hirsuta and also differ by their body sculpture and narrower frons. (Radchenko and Elmes 2003)

Key to Myrmica of West Europe and North Africa Workers / Key to Parasitic Myrmica of West Europe and North Africa Queens / Males

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Germany, Spain, Switzerland.

Nomenclature

 *  bibikoffi. Myrmica bibikoffi Kutter, 1963: 130, figs. 1-11 (w.q.m.) SWITZERLAND. See also: Kutter, 1973c: 255; Kutter, 1977c: 65; Radchenko & Elmes, 2003a: 227; Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 104.

Description
Radchenko and Elmes (2003) - Workers (n=5): HL 1.10-1.28; HW 0.94-1.16; SL 0.82-1.04; AL 1.50-1.78 mm; FI 0.34-0.35; FLI 1.40-1.47; SIl 0.75-0.86; SI2 0.85-0.91; PPI 0.51-0.59; ESLI 0.36-0.43; queens (n=2): HL 1.24-1.40; HW 1.22-1.34; SL 0.96-1.00; AL 2.14 mm; FI 0.35-0.39; FLI 1.26-1.37; SI1 0.71-0.77; SI2 0.79-0.80; PPI 0.60-0.61; ESLI 0.30-0.35; males (n=5): HL 0.84-0.94; HW 0.80-0.87; SL 0.56-0.69; AL 1.78-1.86 mm; SI1 0.64-0.74; SI2 0.68-0.78; PPI 0.55-0.57; ESLI 0.07-0.20.

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - named for the collector Mr. Michel Bibikoff, a Russian émigré who studied entomology in Paris and was later famous for his work on training guide dogs.