Formicidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia
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Identification
Minor worker: head length 0.49mm, head width 0.44mm, scape length 0.44mm, Webers length 0.61mm (n=1). Head flattened, subcordate behind; promesonotum evenly arched, mesonotal suture absent; propodeal spines nearly absent, reduced to tiny tubercles; face, mesosoma, and gaster smooth and shining; dorsal pilosity abundant, of moderate length, flexuous, some setae on mesosomal dorsum branched near apex, branches minute; color orange brown.
Major worker: head length 1.21mm, head width 0.96mm, scape length 0.52mm (n=1). Face shiny, diverging longitudinal rugae between frontal carinae, extending posteriorly about one third of face length, reticulate rugae between eyes and antennal insertions, rest of face smooth; hypostomal margin with pair of teeth, located about one third distance from midline to recessed teeth flanking mandibles (Figure); dorsal pilosity abundant; head with abundant short setae projecting from sides of head in face view.
Similar species: hasticeps, synarmata.
Range
Mainland Neotropics from Mexico to Argentina, and many Caribbean islands. Costa Rica: Atlantic slope to 800m, possibly elsewhere (see Comments).
Natural History
Occurs in a wide range of habitats, including seasonally dry areas, wet habitats, mature forest, open pasture areas, city parks, beach edge; nests in soil, forming clusters of small crater-form tumuli; generalist foragers that quickly recruit to baits.
Comments
Longino has confused subarmata and hasticeps in earlier identifications. See discussion under hasticeps.
Page authors:
John T. Longino, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA. longinoj@evergreen.edu
Stefan Cover, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138 USA. scover@oeb.harvard.edu
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