Workers are usually around 4–5 millimetres.
Fine-art photographic collection
Myrmica sabuleti
A small European red ant with colour vision tuned to its habitat.
About this species
Sand-loving red ant
Myrmica sabuletiMeinert, 1861
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Myrmica sabuleti is a European red ant associated with warm grassland and open habitats. Colonies nest in soil or beneath stones, and workers forage for small animal food and sugary liquids.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Myrmicinae · Myrmicini · Myrmica
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
EuropeBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Europe and parts of western Asia, including Britain.
Warm grassland, heath, sandy ground, scrub and open woodland edge.
Ground foraging during mild daylight and warm conditions.
Small arthropods, carrion, honeydew and plant liquids.
Soil-nesting colonies often containing more than one queen.
What makes this species remarkable?
Experiments have shown colour discrimination extending into ultraviolet wavelengths.
The species favours warmer, more open sites than many other British Myrmica.
Myrmica colonies can host specialised butterfly larvae and other nest associates.