First Record of the Introduced Ant Myrmica specioides in the Eastern United States

The ant Myrmica specioides Bondroit, 1918 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is reported for the first time from the Eastern United States. This species is native to the West Palearctic region and has previously been known as an introduced species in Northwestern North America. It was found in 2013 in the Boston metropolitan area. The species was identified by morphometric comparison to type specimens and DNA-barcoding. The distribution and invasive potential of M. specioides are discussed.