Key to Monomorium workers of the New World

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online

This key is based on: DuBois, M. B. 1986. A revision of the native New World species of the ant genus Monomorium (minimum group) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). University of Kansas Science Bulletin. 53:65-119.

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The following species are not included in this key and apparently lack a worker caste: Monomorium inquilinum, Monomorium pergandei, and Monomorium talbotae.

1

Head of Monomorium ergatogyna worker
Profile of Monomorium ergatogyna worker

2

return to couplet #1

  • Basal and declivitous faces of propodeum of equal length . . . . . 3
  • Basal and declivitous faces of propodeum of unequal length (either face may be longer) . . . . . 5

3

return to couplet #2

  • Mesopleuron punctate; fewer than 8 setae projecting above dorsum of alitrunk; occurs throughout central Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas . . . . . Monomorium cyaneum
Head of Monomorium cyaneum worker
Profile of Monomorium cyaneum worker
  • Mesopleuron not punctate; more than 10 (rarely 8 or 9) setae projecting above dorsum of alitrunk . . . . . 4

4

return to couplet #3

  • Petiole and postpetiole flat to slightly emarginate; occurs throughout Caribbean region . . . . . Monomorium ebeninum
Head of Monomorium ebeninum worker
Profile of Monomorium ebeninum worker

5

return to couplet #3

  • Basal face of propodeum length less than declivity . . . . . 6
  • Basal face of propodeum length greater than declivity . . . . . 7

6

return to couplet #5

  • Fewer than 6 setae projecting above dorsum of alitrunk; occurs in northeastern U. S. . . . . . Monomorium emarginatum
Head of Monomorium emarginatum worker
Profile of Monomorium emarginatum worker
  • More than 8 setae projecting above dorsum of alitrunk; occurs in northern Florida . . . . . Monomorium trageri
Head of Monomorium trageri worker
Profile of Monomorium trageri worker

7

return to couplet #5

  • Mesopleuron punctate; occurs along Atlantic coastline from New Jersey to Florida . . . . . Monomorium viridum
Head of Monomorium viridum worker
Profile of Monomorium viridum worker
Head of Monomorium minimum worker
Profile of Monomorium minimum worker