48
The Essex Naturalist
Formica rufa is still locally numerous in woods in the south-east of the county,
hut seems to have been lost from the north-east of the county, presumably due
to loss of suitable habitat brought about by a cessation in coppicing. On the
other hand certain species have been found to be much more widespread than
previously thought. Pitfall trapping in particular has demonstrated Myrmica
schencki to be a widespread but very local species and Myrmica specioides,
previously only known from Kent, has heen shown to occur at coastal sites
between the Thames Estuary and Dovercourt. The rare Leptothorax tuberum has
recently heen rediscovered in South Essex by R G Payne at Shoebury Old
Ranges. Ant species can be elusive and colonies extremely localised so there
may still he exciting finds and rediscoveries to be made.
SUBFAMILY PONERINAE
Ponera coarctata (L.) - Notable B
Listed for S Essex in Falk (1991). Rare with records only for four localities at
Aveley Clay Pit, Barling (undated, M Hanson), Connaught Club (Hanson
1992) and Colchester Roman Wall (taken in 1994 by J Bowdrey).
SUBFAMILY MYRMICINAE
Genus: Myrmica. We have recent records for seven of the nine British species.
Some species in this genus can be very difficult to identify, especially if only one
or two workers are available. M. sabuleti, M. scabrinodis and M. specioides can be
particularly confusing and comparison with voucher specimens and knowledge
of all the species is necessary to be sure of identification. M. specioides, which
has been found to occur at a number of coastal sites in the county seems to have
been overlooked in the past. Some species seem to be good indicators of the age
and quality of grassland habitat. Mucking Heath (Orsett Golf Course) is
outstanding for the abundance and number of Myrmica and other ant species
present in the ancient grass heath along the western edge. Pitfall trapping by P
R Mabbott in the Epping Forest area has recently shown Pole Hill Meadow to
have a similar range of species present.
Myrmica lobicornis Nylander
This distinctive species seems to be very rare in the county and restricted to
unimproved grassland sites. There are recent records for only five localities, Pole
Hill Meadow (coll. by P R Mabbott in 1994 & 1995), a small area of old
grassland near the Robin Hood in Epping Forest, a flower-rich roadside verge at
Heydon, Middlewick Ranges Colchester (R Rutfell in 1991 6k 1993) and
Mucking Heath (Orsett Golf Course) where the ant is numerous in the ancient
grass heath along the western edge.
M. rubra (L.)
This species of ant is very widespread and locally common with recent records
from about 66 localities in the county. Nevertheless it seems to prefer undisturbed
grasslands and is much less often found than either M. ruginodis or M. scabrinodis.