HYMENOPTERA > APOCRITA | Aculeata > Formicidae > Myrmicinae > Myrmicini (lobicornis group)

A medium-sized, 4-7mm body length species, characterised by having a deep reddish-black colouration with course longitudinal sculpturing along the head and alitrunk, well-developed propodeal spines, and antennal scapes that are sharply, but evenly, curved at the base. The legs and antennae are mid-brown and the gaster somewhat variable from mid to dark brown.

Myrmica sulcinodis has scattered distribution across the country from the Scottish Highlands to the south coast with local populations on well-drained heather moorlands and some sandy lowland heaths. Colonies are relatively small, usually consisting a couple of hundred workers at most and a single queen. The mating flights typically occur in August or early September. Nest are under stones or in clumps of peat exposed to the sun. On sandy lowland heath the species occurs mainly in the damper areas of short heather.

The individual featured here appears to be a dealate, recently mated queen that has shed her wings, found on the first of the month which corresponds with the known mating period of the species. I initially considered Myrmica ruginodis, but the general appearance and colour looked wrong and, here in the south, Myrmica ruginodis is more likely to be found in woodland rather than this elevated heath area at Hengistbury Head. The location did concern me as I'm not aware of any sightings this close to the coast but, with other Myrmica species eliminated, I believe that Myrmica sulcinodis is the most 'likely' candidate.