A taxonomic revision of the socially parasitic Myrmica ants [Hymenoptera: Formicidae] of the Palearctic Region

A taxonomic review is made of the 15 described species of socially parasitic Myrmica, found in the Palaearctie, and 3 apparently free-living Myrmica species that have characteristics of the "parasitic syndrome". Notes on the current taxonomic status and biological knowledge of each species are given. Earlier synonymies are discussed and one new synonymy is made: M. samnitica Mei = M. laurae Emery. Also, the synonymy of if. myrrnecophila Wasmann with M. sulcinodis Nylander is confirmed and it is suggested that the type specimen is neither an ergatoid queen nor a social parasite, but a worker parasitized by Mermis. The status of M. symbiotica Menozzi remains unclear: it is not an ergatoid queen but could be a pseudogyne worker of a parasitic species with as yet undescribed queens. Keys are given for the identification of all castes of the 10 recognised species of social parasite (including M. symbiotica) and the 3 associated free-living species.