Technical Sheet: Myrmica rubra
Scientific Name: Myrmica rubra
Taxonomic Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Formicidae
- Genus: Myrmica
- Species: Myrmica rubra
Description:
- Color: Reddish, with shades ranging from light brown to dark brown.
- Size: Workers 4-6 mm; queens 5.5-7 mm.
- Body Structure: Body segmented into three main parts: head, mesosoma, and metasoma. They have two dorsal spines on the propodeum (back part of the mesosoma).
- Antennae: Composed of 12 segments in workers and 13 in males.
Distribution:
- Native to Europe and Asia.
Habitat:
- Prefers moist areas such as meadows, gardens, forests, and the edges of rivers and lakes.
- Build nests in the soil, often under stones, wood, or debris.
Behavior:
- Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on insects, nectar, and sweet materials.
- Reproduction: Colonies can have multiple queens (polygyny). New queens and males mate during nuptial flights.
- Social Interaction: Highly social, workers cooperate in food collection and care for the brood and queen.
