About Myrmica scabrinodis Nylander, 1846
Myrmica scabrinodis Nylander, 1846 is a Euro-Siberian ant species. It occurs in multiple distinct forms that cannot be told apart through morphological analysis, which has led to suggestions that the species is currently undergoing a major speciation event. Colonies of this species are either monogynous (containing a single queen) or have only a few queens, and may hold around 2500 worker ants. This ant species is the primary host for the entomopathogenic fungus Rickia wasmannii. Phengaris caterpillars are main threats to M. scabrinodis, and one specific species, Phengaris arion, forms a predatory relationship with the ant. Myrmica scabrinodis is native to Europe and north-western Asia. It has also been introduced to North America, specifically in coastal British Columbia and the U.S. state of Washington, where it is classified as an invasive species. It lives in a broad range of different habitats, including dry grasslands, forests, bogs, and other wetlands. It constructs nests underground, within grass or moss tussocks, under stones, and in rotten wood. In its introduced range, it is commonly found in disturbed environments such as lawns and paved areas.
