Smithistruma cassicuspis Bolton manuscript name

Formicidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia

John T. Longino, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA. longinoj@evergreen.edu

4 March 1997

Identification
worker lateral view
worker face view

Color red-brown; 6-segmented antenna; face punctate; face and mesosoma covered with short, stiff, erect setae (stubble). It is very similar to two other species of Smithistruma: microthrix and stauroma. The former has no stubble. The latter has stubble, but also is covered with sharp low tubercles, giving the surface a very rough look. Compare with other Smithistruma. Barry Bolton of the British Museum is currently revising the genus Smithistruma, and this new species will be included in the revision.

Geography

Known from three collections on the Atlantic slope of Costa Rica. One collection is from the Peñas Blancas Valley (800m) and two are from La Selva Biological Station (50m).

Natural History

Presumed predaceous. Nest unknown.

How to collect

Sift litter from mature wet forest floor and extract in Berlese funnel or Winkler bag.

Page author: John T. Longino longinoj@evergreen.edu

Last modified: 03/04/1997