Latin name: Myrmica rubra

Taxonomy: Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribes: Myrmicini

Breeding level: Beginner

Geographical distribution: Great Britain to Central Asia, from Scandinavia to the Black Sea, introduced to North America since the beginning of European colonization

Habitat: Prefers wet and temperate meadows, pastures, open woods, avoids areas with low vegetation.

Colony shape: Extremely polygynous

Queen: Size: 5 - 7.5mm Color: Dark red, dark chest more than for the workers

Workers: Size: 7 - 9mm Color: Dark red to dark orange, gastre a little darker and shiny

Major: No

Male: Size: 9mm Color: Black

Food: Honeydew, but also a lot of small insects like mealworms, fly, mosquito, crickets etc ...

Humidity: Hunting area: 30 - 50% Nest: 50 - 70%

Temperature: Hunting area: 18 - 28 ° C Nest: 21 - 24 ° C

Hibernation: Yes, from mid-November to early March between 12 and 15 ° C

Nest type: Plexiglas nest, nest with tubes, reconstituted stone nest.

Description: Myrmica rubra has a pronounced queen polymorphism in which a distinction is made between microgynes and macrogynes, they are very good hunters, it is the only endemic species of France which is equipped with a sting which makes it a real very good hunter. The sting is not very painful.

Development: Swarming from mid-August to the end of September.

Foundation: Semi-claustral (with food) Development: 45 days from egg to worker (depending on temperature)

Size of the colony: Up to 20,000 individuals, the queen can reach the age of 12 years.