Myrmica karavajevi (Arnol’di, 1930)
Description and notes
Myrmica karavajevi is a very rare, workerless parasite of Myrmica colonies. Queens and males are produced in large numbers and can be recognised by their very small size: they are slightly smaller than the host workers. It was known as Sifolinia karavajevi until Bolton (1988) synonymised Sifolinia with Myrmica. Seifert calls this species Symbiomyma karavajwevi in his 2018 book however this change of name has yet to be generally accepted. The females have simple, smoothly curving scapes and short spines and could possibly be mistaken for very small Myrmica rubra females. The forward facing process beneath the postpetiole is a clear distinguishing characteristic.
Distribution
Dorset, North and South Hampshire, Surrey, Pembrokeshire, West Suffolk and West Norfolk.
North-west, central, eastern and northern Europe to 63° North (Seifert 2007).
Status (in Britain only)
Listed as Rare (RDB3) by Shirt (1987) and revised to Insufficiently Known (RBDK) by Falk (1991).
Habitat
It has been found where its host nests are plentiful. Usually in warm and relatively wet places such as bogs, marshes, damp heaths, meadows and forest clearings, less frequently in sandy or dry places.
Flight period
July or August.
Foraging behaviour
It does not forage, but relies on host workers for food.
Nesting biology
A new queen enters a nest of the host and, after acceptance, lives alongside the host queen(s). Workers and possibly alates of the host species continue to be produced as well as many small alates of the parasite. In Britain it has been found in nests of Myrmica scabrinodis Nylander and M. sabuleti Meinert.
Year profile last updated
2022