Myrmica lampra

This parasite was discovered as part of a September 1965 ant biodiversity study in the southeastern portion of the Parc des Laurentides (now Grands-Jardins National Park) in Quebec. A queen and male were found in a Myrmica alaskensis nest.

Identification
One of two known parasites of Myrmica alaskensis. Both parasites are only known from queens and males. Francoeur (1984) provided a couplet for distinguishing M. lampra from the other parasite, Myrmica quebecensis

Key to species of the lampra group

1. Ocular index < 26 (eye diameter x 100/head width). Propodeal spines well developed, as long as or longer than one-half the distance which separates their bases. Body bicolored, reddish or yellowish brown. Female habitus. . . . . 2

Ocular index >30. Propodeal spines reduced, as long as or shorter than one-third the distance which separates their bases. Concolorous body, dark to blackish brown. Male habitus. . . . . 3

2. Petiolar sternum with a median keel protruded anteriorly into an angular lobe. Anterior margin of clypeus angulo-convex. Eyes with long reclinate hairs. Fine striae on dorsum of head. . . . . lampra

Petiolar sternum with a strong vertical lamella. Anterior margin of clypeus weakly convex. Eyes only with short straight hairs. Coarse striae on dorsum of head. . . . . quebecensis

3. Petiolar sternum with a median keel feebly protruding anteriorly like a spine. Scape equal to the first 7.5 meres of the funiculum, scape index = 84 (scape length x 100/head width). . . . . lampra

Petiolar sternum with an elongated lamella, directed downward and forward. Scape equal to the first 5 meres of the funiculum. scape index < 62. . . . . . quebecensis

Distribution
Sainte-Anne-du-Nord River, Parc des Laurentides, County of Charlevoix-West (types) and HavreSaint-Pierre, county of Saguenay (no 08566), Quebec Province.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: Canada, United States.

Biology
The type material was found in the nest of a Myrmica alaskensis nest. It was located in a rotten, moist tree trunk. The trunk was on the ground of a slope facing south, between the Sainte-Anne-du-Nord river (Quebec) and a sand road, at an altitude of 2400 feet. This area is subartic, dominated by black spruce and a ground cover of caribou lichen.

Nomenclature

 *  lampra. Myrmica lampra Francoeur, 1968: 729, figs. 1-5 (q.m.) CANADA. See also: Kutter, 1973c: 256; Francoeur, 1981: 756; Bolton, 1988a: 4.

Type Material
The nest of the host-species was hollowed in a rotten and very humid tree trunk. The trunk rested on the ground of a slope facing south, between the Sainte-Anne-du-Nord river and a sand road, at an altitude of 2400 feet. The geographical coordinates of the place are 47°40'30"N latitude and 70°46'30"W longitude. Both specimens are deposited as types in the Provancher Collection of the Musee du Quebec, Laval University.

Etymology
lampra Greek = brilliant