Myrmica ademonia

In the Russian Far East M. ademonia is a forest species, living in mixed and deciduous forests and nesting mainly in decayed wood, rarely in soil. In Korea it lives in mixed and deciduous forests (oak, maple, elm, pine, fir) mainly at altitudes between 600 and 1500 m, although it also has been found living in relatively wet places at lower altitudes (ca.0200 m). As in Russia, it usually nests in decayed wood and very rarely in soil under stones. The preference for decaying wood appears to be one of the main ecological differences from Myrmica sulcinodis that usually nests directly in coarse, sandy soil or under stones. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Identification
Myrmica ademonia is most similar to Myrmica sulcinodis and is a member of the sulcinodis complex of the lobicornis species group. It differs from M. sulcinodis by its longer propodeal spines, less coarsely sculptured petiole, and well-developed petiolar peduncle.(Radencko and Elmes, 2010)

Distribution
Southern part of Russian Far East, Korean Peninsula.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Russian Federation.

Castes
Known from workers, queens, and males.

Nomenclature

 * aspersa. Myrmica aspersa Kupyanskaya, 1990: 105, figs. 16, 17, 18 (w.q.m.) RUSSIA. [Junior primary homonym of Myrmica aspersa Smith, F. 1865: 72, above.] Replacement name: ademonia Bolton, 1995b: 277.
 *  ademonia. Myrmica ademonia Bolton, 1995b: 277. Replacement name for aspersa Kupyanskaya, 1990: 105. [Junior primary homonym of aspersa Smith, F. 1865: 72.] See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 79.

Description
The propodeal spines are very long and sharp and are directed upwards at an acute angle.

Type Material
Myrmica aspersa - One worker syntype in, one worker syntype in. Both labelled “M” (= Morotai I.). syntype has a Donisthorpe type-label.

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - apparently Bolton made-up this replacement name, loosely basing it on the word ademptio meaning "to take away" (Barry Bolton, pers. comm.). Interestingly, in medicine the name means sad, weary or depressed which may have described Bolton's mood at having to find another replacement name, but more appropriately, the Ademonia family have red and black among their heraldic colours.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Kholin S. K. and A. N. Kupianskaya. 2003. The international biodiversity observation year (IBOY): the ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of forest ecosystems of the Primorye region. Chteniya Pamyati Alekseya Ivanovicha Kurentsova 14: 50-55.
 * Lelej A. S. 2012. Annotated catalogue of the Insects of Russian Far East. Volume 1. Hymenoptera. Dalnauka: Vladivostok. 635 p.
 * Radchenko, A. 2005. Monographic revision of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of North Korea. Annales Zoologici (Warsaw) 55: 127-221.
 * Radchenko, A. 2005. Monographic revision of the ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of North Korea. Annales Zoologici 55(2): 127-221.
 * Smith F. 1865. Descriptions of new species of hymenopterous insects from the islands of Sumatra, Sula, Gilolo, Salwatty, and New Guinea, collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace. Journal and Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. Zoology 8: 61-94.