A Population Study of the Ants Myrmica sabuleti and Myrmica scabrinodis, Living at Two Sites in the South of England. I. A Comparison of Colony Populations

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Abstract
The size and structure of colonies of M. sabuleti Meinert living at 2 well-grazed grassland sites were investigated for several years by the excavation of colonies. One site was on chalk grassland and the other on acid grassland. The latter supported a population of M. scabrinodis Nyl. which was also investigated. The acid site was the last known British site for Maculinea arion (large blue butterfly), which is parasitic upon M. sabuleti for part of its life cycle. Means are given for 6 parameters of colony population. These were compared for site, annual and within-site differences. Colonies producing reproductives are significantly larger than those that do not. There are significant variations within sites between years but these are small compared to between-site and interspecific differences. Regression analysis enables some deductions to be made concerning the regulation of sexual production. Sexuals are reared at the expense of new workers. Both male and new worker production is closely related to worker population; gyne production seems more related to worker size. The differences between and within populations are discussed in terms of nest site insolation.

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