The Essex Naturalist 93
Monomorium pharaonis (L.)
Introduced
A cosmopolitan species that in North Europe is frequently established in heated
premises including bakehouses, laundries and hospitals (Collingwood 1979).
The Colchester Natural History Museum have a single record for Essex County
Hospital in 1976. More recently, this small ant has been found to be established
in the central heating ducts of a number of high rise buildings in the Essex
portion of east London, especially in Newham.
Solenopsis fugax (Latreille)
National status Rare RDB3 County status Essex Extinct
Threat status Essex Endangered
Distribution
Falk (1991) lists S Essex and Donisthorpe (1927) gives Shoebury near Southend
and this is shown in Barrett (1979). There are no recent records in the county
but the minute workers are seldom seen above ground and it is possible that it
remains undetected because of its secretive habits.
Habitat and Ecology
A largely subterranean species which often forms large colonies deep in the
ground or beneath large stones, often linked to those of larger ants such as Lasius
or Formica species. It typically robs and eats the brood of larger species.
Threats
If rediscovered in the county the most likely threat would be loss of sites to
development or damage to sites through lack of or inappropriate management.
Stenamma westwoodi s.l.
National status Local
[S. debilis Foerster & S. westwoodi Westwood]
The ant known previously in this country as Stenamma westwoodi has recently
been shown to refer to two species S. westwoodi Westwood and S. debile Foerster
(DuBois 1993; BWARS starter pack: 31-34). The majority of Essex records seem
to be referable to S. debile.
Nests consist of up to 150 workers with a single queen and may be found in
dry well-drained woodland under deep stones or among tree roots and under
moss (Collingwood 1979). Barrett (1979) shows a post 1961 record for TQ79
and pre 1961 record for TM13, which may originate from Suffolk.
Stenamma debile Foerster
National status Unknown County status Essex Local
Frequency Ratio 1.2 Tetrad Percentage 2.8%
Recorded 1km sq. percentage 6.8%