| Myrmica sabuleti | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Genus: | Myrmica |
| Species: | M. sabuleti |
| Binomial name | |
| Myrmica sabuleti Meinert, 1861 | |
Myrmica sabuleti is a species of ant in the genus Myrmica. The species is indigenous to Europe, and most colonies are polygynous. Caterpillars of the large blue butterfly (Phengaris arion) parasitically prey on this ant. The caterpillar hatches on wild thyme buds and then at the fourth-instar stage tricks the ants into believing it is one of their own larvae. The worker ants then carry the caterpillar to their nest, where it feeds on the ant grubs for 10 months before pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
See also
- Zodarion rubidum, a spider that mimics and feeds on Myrmica sabuleti
References
- "Bidrag de danske Myrers Naturhistorie". Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Skrifter. 5: 275–340. 1861.
- "Myrmica sabuleti". Retrieved 13 Aug 2020.
- Barkham, Patrick (13 Aug 2020). "Large blue butterfly returns to Cotswolds site for first time in 150 years". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
External links
Media related to Myrmica sabuleti at Wikimedia Commons
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