Key to Aphaenogaster European testaceopilosa-group queens

This key to queens is based on: Boer, P. 2013. Revision of the European ants of the Aphaenogaster testaceopilosa-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 156, 57–93. PDF

Identifications should be preferably based on several specimens from the same colony, if possible of all three castes. Gynes of Aphaenogaster balcanicoides, Aphaenogaster karpathica and Aphaenogaster spinosa are unknown.

You may also be interested in

• Aphaenogaster
• Key to Aphaenogaster European testaceopilosa-group workers and males

1

• Antennal club 5-segmented . . . . . 2

• Antennal club 4-segmented . . . . . 3

2

return to couplet #1

• Propodeum denticulate . . . . . Aphaenogaster gemella

• Propodeal spines prominent . . . . . Aphaenogaster senilis

3

return to couplet #1

• Propodeum with thorns or spines . . . . . 4

• Probably (as in worker): Propodeum angulate, without spines or thorns . . . . . Aphaenogaster inermita

4

return to couplet #3

• CI < 85, SI > 121 . . . . . 5

• CI > 85, SI < 121 . . . . . 7

5

return to couplet #4

• PPPI < 82, PSLWI > 85, RPSI > 45. Punctation on mesosoma weak . . . . . 6

• PPPI 89, PSLWI 73, RPSI 35. Punctation on mesosoma distinct . . . . . Aphaenogaster sporadis

6

return to couplet #5

• PI > 76 . . . . . Aphaenogaster simonellii

• PI < 76 . . . . . Aphaenogaster iberica

7

return to couplet #4

• Propodeal spines longer PSI > 185. Gaster matt to satin . . . . . 8

• Propodeal spines shorter PSI < 180. Gaster glossy to shiny . . . . . Aphaenogaster semipolita

8

return to couplet #7

• Propodeum does not make an angle with the metanotum and scutellum. Propodeum in lateral view straight. Clypeus with longitudinal rugulae. RPSI < 60 . . . . . 9

• Propodeum makes a right angle with the metanotum and scutellum. Propodeum in lateral view slightly bulging. Rugulae on clypeus transverse. RPSI > 60 . . . . . Aphaenogaster campana

9

return to couplet #8

• Petiole wider compared to postpetiole: PI 70–78. PPPI 63–68. Propodeal spines erected: SPL 4 . . . . . Aphaenogaster balcanica . . . . . and . . . . . Aphaenogaster melitensis

• Petiole narrow compared to postpetiole: PI 67–68. PPPI 75–80. Propodeal spines more horizontal: SPL 1–2 . . . . . Aphaenogaster picena