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 by mimicking the specific chemical scents and acoustic sounds of the colony. 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.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Myrmica sabuleti being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Myrmica scabrinodis
- Myrmica rugulosa
- Myrmica specioides
- Myrmica gallienii
- Myrmica americana
- Myrmica lonae
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Formicidae
- Genus
- Myrmica
- Species
- Myrmica sabuleti
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