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Pseudoponera stigma

Nomenclature

Species: Pseudoponera stigma (Fabricius, 1804)

Usage: valid

Holotype: OUMNH - ANTC20801 - CASENT0901361
Holotype: BMNH - [node:field-collection-code] - CASENT0902506
Paratype: BMNH - [node:field-collection-code] - CASENT0902507
Syntype: BMNH - [node:field-collection-code] - CASENT0902508
Syntype: BMNH - [node:field-collection-code] - CASENT0902509

External links

Antweb | Antwiki

Risk statement

Not considered a significant pest species.

Diagnostic description

Diagnosis of worker among Antkey species

Antenna 12-segmented. Antennal scapes exceed posterior head margin. Anterior margin of clypeus not denticulate. Eyes small (less than 5 facets); situated distinctly below midline of head. Frontal lobes relatively broad. Clypeus with anterior margin flat to convex, but never forming a distinct triangle that projects anteriorly beyond the base of the mandibles. Mandibles triangular; with 5 teeth. Metanotum does not form a prominent convexity bordered by distinct suture lines. Hind tibia with both pectinate spur and simple spur. Tarsal claws lacking subapical tooth, hind coxae lacking dorsal spine. Waist 1-segmented. Petiole narrowly attached to gaster with conspicuous posterior face. Gaster armed with sting. Abdominal segment 4 lacking deep longitudinal furrows. Distinct constriction between abdominal segments 3+4. Color reddish brown to reddish black with brownish red appendages.

Pachycondyla stigma is easily distinguished from species of Anochetus, Odontomachus and Leptogenys by its triangular mandibles. Among species of Hypoponera and Ponera that are introduced to or commonly intercepted in the United States, P. stigma can be distinguished by its mandibles which have exactly 5 teeth (versus more than 7), it broader frontal lobes, and by its hind tibia that has both a pectinate spur and simple spur (versus only a simple spur). Pachycondyla stigma can be distinguished from P. chinensis by its smaller eyes (less than 6 facets versus more than 6 facets in P. chinensis) and its mandibles (5 teeth versus 7 teeth in P. chinensis).

Distribution

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

Close-up view of eye / ocellus, adult worker. Eye size (number of facets) equal to or less than 5.
Close-up view of eye / ocellus, adult worker. Eye size (number of facets) equal to or less than 5.
Anterior dorsal view of head, adult worker. Frontal lobes relatively broad.
Anterior dorsal view of head, adult worker. Frontal lobes relatively broad.
Anterior dorsal view of mandibles, adult worker. Mandibles with five teeth.
Anterior dorsal view of mandibles, adult worker. Mandibles with five teeth.
Close-up view of mandibles, adult worker. Mandibles with five teeth and denticles. Used in Antkey to separate Pachycondyla stigma from Pachycondyla chinensis and Hypoponera species.
Close-up view of mandibles, adult worker. Mandibles with five teeth and denticles. Used in Antkey to separate Pachycondyla stigma from Pachycondyla chinensis and Hypoponera species.
Close-up view of tibia, adult worker. Tibia with both a large pectinate spur and a smaller simple spur.
Close-up view of tibia, adult worker. Tibia with both a large pectinate spur and a smaller simple spur.