Myrmica Latreille

Eguchi, K., Viet, B. T. & Yamane, S., 2011, Generic synopsis of the Formicidae of Vietnam (Insecta: Hymenoptera), Part I - Myrmicinae and Pseudomyrmicinae., Zootaxa 2878, pp. 1-61 : 21

Myrmica Latreille , 1804

Taxonomy. The genus Myrmica is assigned to the tribe Myrmicini (Bolton 2003). The Vietnamese species were recently revised by Radchenko & Elmes (2001) and Radchenko et al. (2006), and the workers have the following features.

Worker monomorphic; head in full-face view oval; preoccipital carina distinct dorsally and laterally; frontal carina and antennal scrobe absent; anteromedian margin of clypeus weakly convex, lacking an isolated median seta; posteromedian portion of clypeus broadly inserted between frontal lobes; antennae 12-segmented, without distinct club; eye medium sized, convex well laterad; palp formula 6,4; mandible triangular; masticatory margin with apical and 1-2 distinct preapical teeth followed by several smaller teeth or denticles; promesonotum in lateral view slightly raised; promesonotal suture absent or vestigial dorsally; metanotal groove more or less distinctly impressed dorsally; propodeal spine long and sharp; propodeal lobe well developed as a triangular or spinose projection; middle and hind tibiae usually each with a single pectinate spur; petiole pedunculate, with low node; subpetiolar process present as a small tooth anteroventrally; dorsal part of postpetiole in lateral view leaning posterodorsad; gastral shoulder absent; sting well developed, without any apical appendage; head and mesosoma usually strongly reticulate or rugoso-reticulate.

The worker of Myrmica is somewhat similar to those of Aphaenogaster (see under Aphaenogaster ) and Tetramorium . However, in the worker of Tetramorium , the tibial spurs of the middle and hind legs are simple or absent, and the apex of sting bears a small lamellate appendage.

Vietnamese species. Five species have been known from Vietnam: angulata Radchenko & Elmes (Sa Pa); schoedli Radchenko, Elmes & Bui (Sa Pa); serica Wheeler (Sa Pa); titanica Radchenko & Elmes (Sa Pa); yamanei Radchenko & Elmes (Sa Pa).

Bionomics. Myrmica species have so far been found exclusively in the mountains of Fan Si Pan above approximately1,700 m alt. They inhabit sparse to well-developed forests and nest in rotting logs, wood fragments, under stones, in soil around tree bases, etc. Workers forage on the ground and lower vegetation.