When you talk to people, they all say that ants sting, well they don't, but this one above, of which there are several species, does and when it does it hurts because it injects you with formic acid from it's sting. These species of ant are normally found in the garden and under stones, flags etc., where they are abundant.

Life History of Myrmica rubra

Myrmica rubra is a common European species of ant found in gardens and woodlands. The life history is as follows:
Males and females copulate during a "nuptial flight" in August or September (only sexual forms can fly)
Queen loses wings after nuptial flight and spends the first winter in a nest chamber she has excavated.
The following summer eggs that she has laid develop into larvae and may mature into adult workers. She feeds the first brood and herself on stored reserves of protein.
Mature workers begin to collect food and care for younger siblings. The workers are all female, all sterile and never develop wings.

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