Myrmica rubra

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.