title: Socially-parasitic Myrmica species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Himalaya, with the description of a new species.
abstract: A new socially-parasitic species, Myrmica latra sp. n. is described based on a queen and male from Indian Himalaya. Its queen differs from other species by the distinctly narrower petiole and postpetiole, blunt and non-divergent propodeal spines, and a darker body colour. The taxonomic position of the three known Himalayan socially-parasitic Myrmica species is discussed, and Myrmica ereptrix Bolton 1988 is transferred to the smythiesii species-group. It is supposed that Myrmica nefaria Bharti 2012 is a temporary social parasite, but Myrmica ereptrix and Myrmica latra sp. n. are permanent social parasites, and a key for their identification is provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences Punjabi University Patiala.
authors.forename: Himender
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bharti
authors.affiliation: Shmalhausen Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, B. Khmelnitsky str., 15, Kiev-30, 01-601 Ukraine.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radchenko
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences Punjabi University Patiala.
authors.forename: Sishal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sasi
keywords: Ants; Myrmica ereptrix; Myrmica latra sp. n.; Myrmica nefaria; Taxonomy; social parasitism