Key to parasitic Himalayan Myrmica

This key is based on: Bharti, H., Radchenko, A., Sasi, S. 2016. Socially-parasitic Myrmica species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Himalaya, with the description of a new species. ZooKeys 605:113–129. (doi:10.3897/zookeys.605.9087).

Probably, M. nefaria is a temporary social parasite as all its castes were found in the host colony and in the right circumstances may potentially form free-living colonies (as in the case of Myrmica vandeli in Europe (see Elmes et al. 2003, Radchenko and Elmes 2003, 2010). At the moment, we can only speculate on the life-style of the other two species, most probably they are obligate social parasites.

Queens

Q1

Petiole and postpetiole narrower, PW/HW = 0.50, PPW/HW = 0.81, petiole nearly as long as wide, PL/PW = 1.06. Propodeal spines blunt and not divergent. Body colour darker, blackish-brown . . . . . Myrmica latra

Petiole and postpetiole wider, PW/HW = 0.58-0.65, PPW/HW > 0.90, petiole distinctly wider than length, PL/PW ≤ 0.87. Propodeal spines pointed and distinctly divergent. Body colour lighter, reddish-brown . . . . . 2

Q2

return to couplet #Q1

Head dorsum with longitudinal rugae and reticulation. Dorsal surface of propodeum with divergent longitudinal rugae. Middle and hind tibiae with well-developed pectinate spur. Petiole somewhat longer, PL/PH > 0.90, PL/PW = 0.77–0.87; mesosoma relatively higher, AL/ AH =1.66-1.83 . . . . . Myrmica nefaria

Head dorsum with longitudinal, somewhat divergent rugae, reticulation present only on vertex and temples. Dorsal surface of propodeum transversally rugose. Hind tibiae with well-developed pectinate spur, but spur on middle tibiae strongly reduced, short and simple. Petiole somewhat shorter, PL/PH = 0.79, PL/PW = 0.71; mesosoma relatively lower, AL/AH =2.04 . . . . . Myrmica ereptrix

Males

Males (males of M. ereptrix are unknown)

M1

Head longer, HL/HW = 1.26, distinctly narrowed posteriorly above eyes; head dorsum with short irregular rugae. Scape longer, SL/HL = 0.85, SL/HW = 1.07. Petiole and postpetiole wider, PW/HW = 0.67, PPW/HW = 0.95; posterior part of scutum with longitudinal rugae. Propodeum gradually rounded, without teeth or tubercles . . . . . Myrmica latra

Head shorter, HL/HW = 1.10–1.12, gradually arched above eyes; head dorsum with longitudinal rugae. Scape shorter, SL/HL = 0.68– 0.77, SL/HW = 0.76–0.79. Petiole and postpetiole narrower, PW/HW = 0.54–0.58, PPW/HW = 0.80-0.85; posterior part of scutum with transversal rugosity. Propodeum distinctly angulated and with short teeth . . . . . Myrmica nefaria