Species Account for Myrmica schencki
Myrmica schencki Viereck, 1903
an ant
Aculeata: Formicidae: Formicidae
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Taxonomic group: ants (Aculeata: Formicidae) - County data
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Status: Nb
Essex RDB: Listed
Threat: Regionally Important
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Myrmica schencki is a Nationally Scarce (Notable B) ant that has been found to be much more widespread in the county than expected, but it has usually only found in small numbers and most records have been made using pitfall traps. There are recent (post 1990) records from 16x10km squares in Essex, most of which are near the coast. Apart from a single worker on a roadside verge at Alresford all records are from old and undisturbed sites (Harvey 1998). Apparently this species differs from other European Myrmica in having no winter brood, is nocturnal and derives much of its food from the glandular secretions of low herbage such as Hypochaeris and Hieracium spp. Colonies are single queened and isolated, situated in sandy banks and dry pasture (Collingwood 1979). References
Habitats
Recorded management for locations with Myrmica schencki
Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Myrmica schencki
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