Previously known as Leptothorax interruptus this species is now placed in Temnothorax (Bolton 2003). Although widely distributed in Europe, this ant is nowhere common. The small, brownish-yellow workers may be distinguished from those of the three similar British and Channel Islands species - T. albipennis, T. nylanderi and T. unifasciatus - by their combination of relatively long and typically incurved pronotal spines, darkened antennal clubs, and the possession of a dark band, interrupted in the middle, on the first gastral tergite.
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Submitted by Anonymous on
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This species was taxonomically confused as a variety of Formica fusca L. or as a synonym of F. rufibarbis until revised by Yarrow (1954). Formica cunicularia includes two variety names of F. fusca: vars. glebaria and rubescens given to workers which are not entirely black as is typical of F. fusca, but which have some red on the sides of the head (glebaria) or with reddish legs and thorax as well (rubescens). They are clearly not as shiny black when compared with F. fusca and are distinguished from F.… Read more
Submitted by Anonymous on
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This species is easily confused with Formica cunicularia, especially in the worker caste. The queen's red and black patched trunk provides a guide (see Donisthorpe, 1927, for a black and white illustration giving a good impression of this feature). Live workers appear distinctive with legs darker than the trunk and with a matt black gaster; they swarm rapidly out of the nest in large numbers to attack a disturber.
Submitted by Anonymous on
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Formica lugubris, F. aquilonia, F. rufa and F. pratensis comprise a group of morphologically similar British species which are commonly referred to as 'wood ants'. Only F. lugubris and F. aquilonia are recorded from both Britain and Ireland, whilst F. pratensis is now presumed to be extinct on the mainland, but remains in the Channel Islands. The nomenclature of these species, and the morphological distinctions between them, have been considered by Yarrow (1955).
Submitted by Anonymous on
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A small, black wasp superficially resembling Lindenius species, but with pronounced hairy eyes.