Myrmica lobicornis Nylander

Collingwood, C. A., 1979, The Formicidae (Hymenoptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark., Fauna Entomologica Scandinavica 8, pp. 1-174 : 51-52

4. Myrmica lobicornis Nylander , 1846 Figs. 32,41,45,62.

Myrmica lobicornis Nylander , 1846:932.

Worker. Bicoloured reddish brown with head and gaster characteristically darker. Upright tooth-like process at the bend of the antennal scape, frequently very large in Scandinavian samples but very variable in size over its whole geographic range. Frons about 1/3 head width. Petiole high with anterior and dorsal surfaces meeting at a right angle. Postpetiole broadly oval from above. Head Index: 87.8; Frons Index: 30.8; Frontal Laminae Index: 65.5. Length: 4.0-5.0 mm.

Queen. As worker, with head and scutum normally darker. Length: 5.0-5.5 mm.

Male. Black, legs and articulations paler. Antennal scape as long as 5-6 following segments, angled near base. Length: 5.0-5.5 mm.

Distribution. Locally common throughout Denmark, Fennoscandia and the British Isles but excluding Ireland. - Range: Portugal to Central Russia, Appenines to Arctic Norway.

Biology. It is a mountain species in Central and S. Europe but in the north occurs equally on lowland heath and in open woodland. Although widely distributed it is not abundant and occurs in isolated single queen colonies nesting in peat or under stones. It is commonly found as single foraging workers and is one of the least aggressive members of the genus.