Leptothorax corticalis

Collingwood, C. A., 1979, The Formicidae (Hymenoptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark., Fauna Entomologica Scandinavica 8, pp. 1-174 : 74-75

20. Leptothorax corticalis (Schenck, 1852) Fig. 97.

Myrmica corticalis Schenck , 1852:100.

Worker. Pale reddish brown with the head and gaster usually darker, antennae unicolorous brown; alitrunk and head finely longitudinally striate but general appearance shining. Propodeal spines reduced to very short denticles; petiole node triangular in profile with dorsal area reduced or absent. Length: 2.5-3.2 mm. Queen. As worker, length 3.5-4.0 mm.

Male. Alitrunk smooth with no striae at sides; antennae pale brown; segments 2-3 only very slightly longer than broad. Length: 3.0 mm.

Distribution: Very local in Sweden: Vstm., Upl. (Forsslund, 1957a); 01. (Douwes, 1976 a). - Not found in Britain. - Range: Central Europe, rare, recorded only from Spain, France, North Italy, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany and Belgium.

Biology. This is a little known rare Central European species. It is a bark inhabitant and Forsslund (1957a) found it nesting in old oak trees inhabited by Lasius brunneus (Latr.) . Only worker samples were seen. Douwes (1976a) records workers taken on Gland on oak and in a fallen branch. The species appears to be closely related to L. nylanderi which has similar habits.