Myrmica Species of Ant Myrmica ruginodis/rubra/other

Myrmica species of ant have a slender "waist" between the thorax and abdomen with a double "petiole" or two small pre-abdominal sections (spherical or trunklike). Most species are red or orange-brown. There are many species worldwide and several in the UK.

The most common two in the UK are the European Fire Ant (also called Common Red Ant), M. rubra, and M. ruginodis. The two are similar. Subtle differences to the antennae base (curved vs angled) and the longer spines at the end of the thorax suggest that this might be the latter. They live in tree trunks and under stones. M. ruginodis occurs across most of Eurasia and tolerates cold northerly or high altitiude better than M. rubra. However, both these species seem a little lighter red than the browner images shown, so it may be another Myrmica or even Leptothorax species.