- Myrmica sabuleti
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Myrmica sabuleti 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Genus: Myrmica Species: M. sabuleti Binomial name Myrmica sabuleti
Meinert, 1861[1]Myrmica sabuleti is a species of ant. The species is indigenous to Europe and most colonies are polygynous.[2] The Large Blue butterfly caterpillar parasitically prey on the species as it hatchess on thyme buds and then tricks the ants into believing it is one of their own larvae, ants then carry it to their nest where it feeds on the ant grubs for 10 months before pupating and emerging as a butterfly.[3]
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". http://www.ameisenshop.eu/show.php?pid=mysa0001. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ Alleyne, Richard (2009-06-16). "Large Blue butterfly flutters back from extinction, thanks to a tiny ant". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/5542084/Large-Blue-butterfly-flutters-back-from-extinction-thanks-to-a-tiny-ant.html. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
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