Common Red Ant
Myrmica rubra
This record describes Myrmica rubra (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Approximately 6 mm long. They are mainly red in colour, with slightly darker pigmentation on the head. The males are a little darker than the others. Lasius always have just a single segment waist, whereas Myrmica have two segments. M. rubra can be distinguished from M. ruginodis as the upper surface of the petiole is curved into the hind face rather than being angled. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. All year round. Winged mating flights in August and September. Nests under walls and old tree stumps. Like all British ants it lives in colonies. Most of the inhabitants of a colony are females and have no wings. These do all the work, gathering food and tending the eggs.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Myrmicini
- Genus
- Myrmica
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Commonly found in gardens, parks etc.
Seasonal Activity
All year round. Winged mating flights in August and September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Nests under walls and old tree stumps. Like all British ants it lives in colonies. Most of the inhabitants of a colony are females and have no wings. These do all the work, gathering food and tending the eggs.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Common throughout Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Myrmica rubra. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Red Ant (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Red Ant
What is Common Red Ant?
Common Red Ant (Myrmica rubra) is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Common Red Ant found?
Habitat: Commonly found in gardens, parks etc.
When is Common Red Ant active?
Common Red Ant: seasonal activity - All year round. Winged mating flights in August and September..
What is the life cycle of a Common Red Ant?
Nests under walls and old tree stumps. Like all British ants it lives in colonies. Most of the inhabitants of a colony are females and have no wings. These do all the work, gathering food and tending the eggs.