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Plagiolepis exigua

Nomenclature

Species: Plagiolepis exigua Forel, 1894

Usage: valid

External links

Antweb | Antwiki

Diagnostic description

Diagnosis of worker among Antkey species

Worker caste monomorphic. Head ovoid (HL > HW). Antenna 11-segmented. Antennal club indistinct. Antennal scape short, not exceeding the posterior head margin by a distance greater than half the eye length. Eyes medium to large (greater than 5 facets); do not break outline of head. Posterior head margin weakly concave. Dorsum of mesosoma lacking metanotal impression; lacking erect hairs. Propodeum and petiolar node both lacking a pair of short teeth. Propodeum lacking posteriorly projecting protrusion. Metapleuron with a distinct gland orifice. Waist 1-segmented (may be hidden by gaster). Petiole upright and not appearing flattened. Gaster armed with acidopore. Distinct constriction not visible between abdominal segments 3+4. Color light brownish yellow.

The only other genera with 11-segmented antenna among the introduced or commonly intercepted species in the United States are Anoplolepis and Lepisiota. Plagiolepis can be distinguished from Anoplolepis species by the significantly smaller size (< 2 mm) and relatively short appendages. It can be distinguished from Lepisiota by the lack of teeth arming the propodeum and petiolar node. The only other genera of formicine with species that lack a metanotal impression is Camponotus, from which Plagiolepis is distinguished by its much smaller size, monomorphic worker caste, and shorter antennal scapes.

Plagiolepis exigua can be separated from P. alluaudi and P. pygmaea by the shorter antennal scapes that do not exceed the posterior head margin by a distance greater than half the eye length. It can be further separated from P. alluaudi by its ovoid head that is longer than wide ovoid head that is longer than wide (versus circular head that is as long as wide), and the weakly concave (versus strongly convex) posterior head margin. It can be further distinguished from P. pygmaea by the light yellowish (versus dark brown) color.

Look alikes

Plagiolepis alluaudi, Plagiolepis pygmaea

Distribution

Click here for updated occurrence data and map on antmaps.org
Click here for updated occurrence data and map on GBIF.org

Lateral view of body, entire, adult worker. Photo by Michele Esposito, Antweb.org .
Lateral view of body, entire, adult worker. Photo by Michele Esposito, Antweb.org.
Anterior view of head, adult worker. Photo by Michele Esposito, Antweb.org .
Anterior view of head, adult worker. Photo by Michele Esposito, Antweb.org.
Close-up view of antennal scape, adult worker. Antennal scapes short, not exceeding the posterior head margin by a distance greater than half the eye length. Photo by Michele Esposito, Antweb.org , modified.
Close-up view of antennal scape, adult worker. Antennal scapes short, not exceeding the posterior head margin by a distance greater than half the eye length. Photo by Michele Esposito, Antweb.org, modified.
Anterior view of antennal scape, adult worker. Antennal scapes do not exceed posterior head margin by a distance greater than half eye length. Separates Plagiolepis exigua from Plagiolepis alluaudi and Plagiolepis pygmae .
Anterior view of antennal scape, adult worker. Antennal scapes do not exceed posterior head margin by a distance greater than half eye length. Separates Plagiolepis exigua from Plagiolepis alluaudi and Plagiolepis pygmae.
Anterior view of head, adult worker. The posterior margin of the head weakly concave to flat, but never strongly convex. Used in Antkey to separate Plagiolepis exigua from Plagiolepis alluaudi and Plagiolepis pygmaea .
Anterior view of head, adult worker. The posterior margin of the head weakly concave to flat, but never strongly convex. Used in Antkey to separate Plagiolepis exigua from Plagiolepis alluaudi and Plagiolepis pygmaea.