 The genus consists of around 200 known species, and additional subspecies, although this figure is likely to rise as soon as Chinese and Neartic fauna lists are revised.The genus contains a number of inquiline species (commensal symbionts), other "Myrmica" species that manage to invade the nest of their host.Subsequently, they use hormones to manipulate the host colony in such a way that eggs of the host queen develop into workers, and parasite brood into sexuals.