Threat Level: Low

Strumigenys godeffroyi is a minute reddish species with a triangular head, linear mandibles, six-segmented antennae with a two-segmented antennal club, antennal scrobes, spongiform appendages on the propodeum and waist, and flagellate hairs on the dorsal surfaces of the mesosoma, waist and gaster. Like all myrmicines, S. godeffroyi also has a two-segmented waist and a gaster armed with a sting.

Strumigenys rogeri is the only other ant included in PIAkey from the genus Strumigenys, and it shares the same general appearance as S. godeffroyi. There are many characters for separating the species, however. Strumigenys rogeri has two preapical teeth, a notch on the ventral portion of the head and spatulate hairs on the waist and gaster. Strumigenys godeffroyi, in contrast, has one preapical tooth, no notch on the ventral portion of the head and flagellate hairs on the waist and gaster.

There are many species of Strumigenys and other dacetine in the Pacific Region that do not appear in PIAkey, including several invasive ones (i.e. Strumigenys lewisi). Strumigenys godeffroyi can separated from most of these by dense pelt of short pilosity that occurs on the mesosoma dorsum.

Pyramica is closely related to Strumigenys, and both are genera within the tribe Dacetini. The most reliable character for separating P. membranifera from the two species of Strumigenys included in PIAkey is the shape of the mandibles. The mandibles of P. membranifera are triangular, and those of the Strumigenys are linear.

he tribe Dacetini is very diverse, and its species can be difficult to identify because of their minute size and subtle morphological differences. There are many native species and introduced species of dacetines in the Pacific. If the species included in PIAkey do not match the specimen in question, explore images on Antweb or use the keys published by Wilson and Taylor (1967) or Bolton (2000) for identification confirmation.

Strumigenys godeffroyi is not known to cause significant damage to ecological or agricultural system, and is mostly restricted the forests. It is a relatively rare ant, despite its widespread distribution across the Pacific. The species is most commonly collected from forest leaf litter and is rarely seen foraging on the surface.

• Antweb: specimen images, data & maps
  
  
• Bolton, B. (1995) A new general catalogue of the ants of the world. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 504 pp.
  
  
• Wilson, E.O. & Taylor, R.W. (1967) The ants of Polynesia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Pacific Insects Monograph, 14, 1-109.