Catalogue of the hymenopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part VI. Formicidae. Author Smith, F. text 1858 British Museum London http://antbase.org/ants/publications/8127/8127.pdf book 8127 C86CFDBF-61D9-48EE-9C2E-325FC0462B10 52. Myrmica irritans . B.M. Worker. Length 1 line.-Pale rufo-testaceous: the head, excepting its mandibles and antennae, the abdomen, excepting its base, being more or less rufo-fuscous; the femora and tibiae in the middle are also darker than the other parts of the legs. Head wider than the thorax or abdomen, very smooth and shining; eyes black and rather prominent. Thorax shining, deeply strangulated in the middle, the metathorax with two short erect acute spines. Abdomen ovate, very smooth and shining, with the base truncated. Hab . Port Natal.