Subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae

Classification · Identification · Range · Remarks · Internet References

Pseudomyrmex gracilis complex - Pseudomyrmex gracilis - female

Pseudomyrmex gracilis (Fabricius) - Pseudomyrmex gracilis - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps)

Superfamily Vespoidea (Ants, Stinging Wasps, and Hornets)

Family Formicidae (Ants)

Subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae

Identification

"Workers of this subfamily can be recognized by the combination of large eyes (EL/HL usually > 0.25), short mandibles, flexible promesonotal connection, and presence of a postpetiole. Other characteristic features include: antennal sockets partly exposed in full-face (frontal) view; scape relatively short (SL/HL < 0.75); clypeus narrow (front to back) and not extending posteriorly between the frontal carinae; metapleural gland orifice situated at extreme posteroventral margin of metapleuron; hind tibia usually with two apical spurs, of which the posterior spur is pectinate; and sting well developed." 1

Range

Mainly tropical or subtropical in distribution.

Remarks

Most of the species of this group are strictly arboreal, and often associated with a peculiar kind of tree.

Internet References

http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/faculty/ward/pseudo.html

1 http://www.antweb.org/description.do?rank=subfamily&name=pseudomyrmecinae&project=calants

Contributed by Chris Wirth on 19 October, 2005 - 9:12am
Last updated 23 October, 2005 - 8:11am

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