Key to Australian Camponotus majors of the southwestern Botanical Province

This key to major workers is based on: Heterick, B. E. 2009a. A guide to the ants of South-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 76: 1-206. Part 1.

Since the publication of this key the genus Colobopsis has been removed from its synonymy with Camponotus. Colobopsis species are therefore included in this key.

Heterick notes: Major workers This key provides couplets to known major workers: major workers for a number of species are as yet unknown, as this subcaste tends to leave the nest less frequently than the minor and media worker castes.

There is also a key to minors.

1

Inner surfaces of middle and hind tibiae lacking elongate setae (Figure 186a); anterior two thirds of clypeus and surrounding genae abruptly truncate (used by the ant to plug the nest entry hole in wood) (Figure 186b) . . . . . (C. macrocephalus species-group) . . . . . Colobopsis gasseri

Figure 186a.

Figure 186b.

Colobopsis gasseri major

Inner surfaces of middle and hind tibiae with double row of stout spines (Figure 187); clypeus and adjoining sectors of head capsule not as above . . . . . 2

Figure 187.

2

return to couplet #1

Mentum with elongate, J-shaped setae near its posterior margin (C. wiederkehri species-group) (Figure 188) . . . . . 3

Figure 188.

Without elongate J-shaped setae on posterior margin of mentum (Figure 189) . . . . . 9

Figure 189.

3

return to couplet #2

Antennal scape and tibiae with many erect, bristly setae . . . . . 4

Antennal scape and tibiae lacking erect, bristly setae . . . . . 5

4

return to couplet #3

Dorsum of petiolar node bluntly rounded, node thick (Figure 190a); pubescence on gaster abundant, individual setae overlapping (Figure 190b . . . . . Camponotus gouldianus

Figure 190a.

Figure 190b.

Camponotus gouldianus major

Dorsum of petiolar node acuminate in profile, node thin, scale-like (Figure 191a); pubescence on gaster less abundant, individual setae usually not overlapping (Figure 191b) . . . . . Camponotus terebrans

Figure 191a.

Figure 191b.

Camponotus terebrans major

5

return to couplet #3

In profile, posterior angle of vertex acute, relatively sharp; outline of mesosoma almost circular in outline (Figure 192) . . . . . Camponotus postcornutus

Figure 192.

Camponotus postcornutus major

In profile, posterior angle of vertex obtuse, smoothly rounded; outline of mesosoma not as above (pronotum is convex, mesonotum and dorsal surface of propodeum form a straight line, except for impression of metanotal groove) (Figure 193) . . . . . 6

Figure 193.

6

return to couplet #5

In profile, vertex of petiolar node broadly rounded; metanotal groove distinctly impressed (Figure 194) . . . . . Camponotus versicolor

Figure 194.

Camponotus versicolor major

In profile, vertex of petiolar node tapering to a sharp or blunt point; metanotal groove feebly impressed (Figure 195) . . . . . 7

Figure 195.

7

return to couplet #6

Clypeus projecting as a rectangular disc with sharp angles (Figure 196) . . . . . Camponotus wiederkehri

Figure 196.

Camponotus wiederkehri major

Anterior clypeal margin broadly convex across its width (Figure 197) . . . . . 8

Figure 197.

8

return to couplet #7

Profile of mesosoma weakly predominantly convex; dorsum of propodeum weakly convex, anterior face of petiolar node only slightly shorter than its posterior face (Figure 198) . . . . . Camponotus prosseri

Figure 198.

Camponotus prosseri major

Profile of mesosoma strongly sinuate; dorsum of propodeum almost straight, anterior face of petiolar node much shorter than posterior face, node inclined forward (Figure 199) . . . . . Camponotus johnclarki

Figure 199.

9

return to couplet #2

Clypeus with anteromedial notch; clypeus projecting beyond genae, clypeal angles acute (C. nigriceps species-group) (Figure 200) . . . . . 10

Figure 200.

Conformation of clypeus not as above . . . . . 14

10

return to couplet #9

Setae on venter of head capsule absent (Figure 201) . . . . . Camponotus longideclivis

Figure 201.

Setae on venter of head capsule present (Figure 202) . . . . . 11

Figure 202.

11

return to couplet #10

Dorsum of propodeum with 10 > erect setae, setae distributed over propodeum (Figure 203). . . . . . 12

Figure 203.

Dorsum of propodeum with 10 < erect setae at or near propodeal angle (Figure 204) . . . . . 13

Figure 204.

12

return to couplet #11

Head, mesosoma, node and most of gaster uniformly honey coloured . . . . . Camponotus clarior

Head black or brown, mesosoma yellow or red-brown . . . . . Camponotus nigriceps

13

return to couplet #11

Erect setae on venter of head capsule 20 >, or setae covering more than 1/2 venter area; typically, head dark brown or black, mesosoma yellowish to dark red and gaster brown or black, with or without yellowish colouration anteriad (Figure 205) . . . . . Camponotus dryandrae

Figure 205.

Erect setae on venter of head capsule 20 <, or setae covering less than 1/2 venter area; typically, head, mesosoma and gaster concolorous dark brown or black (Figure 206) . . . . . Camponotus prostans

Figure 206.

Camponotus prostans major

14

return to couplet #9

Body and appendages covered with dense, whitish, erect setae; head deeply concave; anterior margin of clypeus simple, not bilobate or bidentate (C. intrepidus species-complex) (Figure 207) . . . . . Camponotus molossus

Figure 207.

Camponotus molossus major

Body and appendages not covered with dense, whitish, erect setae (C. whitei has dense, yellow, bristly setae) or anterior margin of clypeus emarginate . . . . . 15

15

return to couplet #14

Sculpture densely punctate; in profile, mesosoma with mesonotum abruptly descending to propodeum, the latter compact and rounded in outline (dorsal surfaces of body with many yellow, bristly setae) (Figure 208) . . . . . Camponotus whitei

Figure 208.

Camponotus whitei major

Sculpture not densely punctate; mesonotum not abruptly descending to propodeum (e.g. Figure 209) . . . . . 16

Figure 209.

16

return to couplet #15

In full-face view, head with posterior angles of vertex rounded in shape of small lobes, the outline of the head between them straight; antennal scape not reaching vertex; sides of head usually parallel; anteromedial margin of clypeus protruding, bidentate; mandible strongly sculptured, with six teeth and denticles; outline of mandible strongly rounded (C. ephippium species-complex) (Figure 210) . . . . . 17

Figure 210.

In full-face view, head capsule differing in one or more of the above characters; mandible may have more or fewer teeth (e.g. Figure 211) . . . . . 25

Figure 211.

17

return to couplet #16

Scapes with whorls of erect setae (Figure 212) . . . . . Camponotus pawseyi

Figure 212.

Scape without erect setae except for one or two at the end (Figure 213) . . . . . 18

Figure 213.

18

return to couplet #17

At least anterior half of frons and sides of head capsule with short, erect and sub-erect setae (Figure 214) . . . . . 19

Figure 214.

Frons and sides of head capsule totally lacking erect and sub-erect setae (Figure 215) . . . . . 21

Figure 215.

19

return to couplet #18

Head less massive; in dorsal view, posterior angles of vertex weakly lobate, lobes not reaching humeral angles of pronotum (Figure 216) . . . . . Camponotus cinereus notterae

Figure 216.

Head more massive; in dorsal view, posterior angles of vertex strongly lobate, lobes reaching humeral angles of pronotum (Figure 217) . . . . . 20

Figure 217.

20

return to couplet #19

Punctation on upper half of frons much fainter than that of lower half; head capsule uniformly red . . . . . Camponotus sp. near ephippium sp. JDM 431

Punctation on upper half of frons almost as strong as that on lower half; head capsule predominantly black with a few dark red patches . . . . . Camponotus ephippium

21

return to couplet #18

Smaller; HW < 2 mm . . . . . 22

Larger, HW > 2.5 mm . . . . . 23

22

return to couplet #21

Median sector of clypeus narrow, its outline weakly convex, and from about the midpoint carinate and raised above the lateral sectors of the clypeus (Figure 218) . . . . . Camponotus longifacies

Figure 218.

Median sector of clypeus broad, its outline strongly convex, not raised but confluent with the lateral sectors of the clypeus (Figure 219) . . . . . Camponotus sponsorum

Figure 219.

Camponotus sponsorum major

23

return to couplet #21

Relatively less hirsute, erect setae on mesosoma 30<; setae on venter of head capsule 20< . . . . . Camponotus capito ebeninithorax

Relatively more hirsute, erect setae on mesosoma 30>; setae on venter of head capsule 20>. . . . . . 24

24

return to couplet #23

Pubescence largely absent from lower mesopleuron and propodeum; legs brown . . . . . Camponotus capito ebeninithorax (‘black soma’)

Pubescence present and conspicuous on lower mesopleuron and propodeum; legs orange . . . . . Camponotus dromas

25

return to couplet #16

In profile, propodeum dorsally concave, forming a “saddle” (Figure 220); pronotum and mesonotum black, propodeum and posterior metapleuron bright crimson . . . . . Camponotus chalceus

Figure 220.

In profile, propodeum not dorsally concave (e.g. Figure 221); colour of mesosoma not as above. . . . . . 26

Figure 221.

26

return to couplet #25

Mandibles very large in proportion to head capsule, outer surface of mandible almost circular; number of developed mandibular teeth 7 ≥; in full-face view vertex of head capsule usually straight (Figure 222) . . . . . 27

Figure 222.

Mandibles of normal proportions, usually triangular, number of developed mandibular teeth 5 or 6; in full-face view vertex of head capsule weakly to moderately concave (Figure 223) . . . . . 29

Figure 223.

27

return to couplet #26

Propodeum with transverse notch about midpoint of its dorsal face (Figure 224) . . . . . Camponotus sp. JDM 26

Figure 224.

Propodeum without transverse notch (C. subnitidus species-group) (Figure 225) . . . . . 28

Figure 225.

28

return to couplet #27

One pair of setae present on venter of head capsule, or setae absent . . . . . Camponotus rufus

Many setae present on venter of head capsule . . . . . Camponotus tricoloratus

29

return to couplet #26

In profile, node thicker, not scale-like, its dorsum flat or only weakly descending towards its anterior face; (Figures 226, 227); ratio of length of propodeum to its declivitous face 1:1–2:1 (Figure 228) . . . . . 30

Figure 226.

Figure 227.

Figure 228.

In profile, node thin, scale-like, its dorsum culminating in a sharp point, its anterior face descending vertically or at least at a very acute angle to the vertex (Figures 229, 230); ratio of length of propodeum to its declivitous face usually much less than 1:1 (often 1:2 or 1:3) (Figure 231) . . . . . 31

Figure 229.

Figure 230.

Figure 231.

30

return to couplet #29

Decumbent and appressed setae on propodeum fine, forming pubescence on at least posterior sector, same setae on gaster minute, mostly separated from one another by more than twice their length; foreparts red, gaster black or ant concolorous black . . . . . Camponotus cinereus amperei . . . Camponotus pitjantjatarae

Decumbent and appressed setae on propodeum coarser and obviously curled, not forming pubescence, same setae on gaster of similar appearance, mostly separated from one another by less than their length; typically, head dark reddish-brown to black, mesosoma and legs orange to light brown, gaster dark brown . . . . . Camponotus scotti

31

return to couplet #29

With combination of strongly concave head capsule, many erect setae on sides and front of head capsule and propodeum steeply declivitous . . . . . Camponotus discors complex. sp. JDM 1104

Camponotus discors major

Without this combination of characters . . . . . 32

32

return to couplet #31

In full-face view, sides of head with erect setae along much of their length; sides of head more-or-less straight (C. claripes species-complex) (Figure 232) . . . . . 33

Figure 232.

In full-face view, sides of head without erect setae or with erect setae restricted to lower frons and genae; sides of head often convex (e.g. Figure 233) . . . . . 37

Figure 233.

33

return to couplet #32

In profile, dorsum of propodeum straight, ratio of length of dorsum of propodeum to its declivitous face slightly more than 1:1 (Figure 234); mesosoma reddish contrasting with black head and gaster . . . . . Camponotus claripes complex sp. JDM 430

Figure 234.

In profile, dorsum of propodeum convex, ratio of length of dorsum of propodeum to its declivitous face less than 1:1 (Figure 235); mesosoma not coloured as above . . . . . 34

Figure 235.

34

return to couplet #33

In dorsal view, gaster bicoloured, first tergite orange, remaining tergites dark brown to black . . . . . Camponotus marcens

Camponotus marcens major

In dorsal view, gaster concolorous dark brown to black . . . . . 35

35

return to couplet #34

Tibiae and much of femora same colour as mesosoma . . . . . Camponotus claripes complex sp. JDM 779

Tibiae and femora much lighter than mesosoma . . . . . 36

36

return to couplet #35

Propodeum with few (10 ≤) erect setae clustered around propodeal angle; genae often with lighter-coloured regions (two or more species may well be represented here) . . . . . Camponotus claripes

Camponotus claripes major

Propodeum with many (10>) erect setae descending up its dorsal face; genae without lighter-coloured regions . . . . . Camponotus claripes complex sp. JDM 767

37

return to couplet #32

Dorsum of mesosoma completely without erect setae . . . . . Camponotus oetkeri

Dorsum of mesosoma with a few to many pairs of erect setae . . . . . 38

38

return to couplet #37

Ant completely black; cuticle dull in appearance . . . . . Camponotus tristis

Ant not completely black, appendages, at least, coloured; cuticle usually shining in appearance . . . . . 39

39

return to couplet #38

Bright, glossy orange; five mandibular teeth; sculpture a fine microreticulation . . . . . Camponotus sp. JDM 1038

Colour not bright, glossy orange; other features vary with species . . . . . 40

40

return to couplet #39

Head and gaster black; mesosoma and legs brick-red . . . . . Camponotus armstrongi

Not distinctly bicoloured as above (head and mesosoma yellow to black, with or without mottling, legs rarely red) . . . . . 41

41

return to couplet #40

Sides of head below eyes and lower genae with sparse to moderately abundant erect setae (Figure 236) . . . . . 42

Figure 236.

Sides of head below eyes and lower genae lacking erect setae (Figure 237) . . . . . 46

Figure 237.

42

return to couplet #41

Very small species (HW ≤ 1.5 mm) . . . . . Camponotus scratius

Species larger (HW ≥ 2 mm) . . . . . 43

43

return to couplet #42

Clypeus with distinct anteromedial notch (glossy, black ants) (Figure 238) . . . . . 44

Figure 238.

Clypeus without distinct anteromedial notch (either ants not black, or appearance matt) (Figure 239). . . . Camponotus oetkeri voltai

Figure 239.

44

return to couplet #43

Sides of head parallel (Figure 240) . . . . . Camponotus lownei

Figure 240.

Camponotus lownei major

|}

Sides of head convex (Figure 241) . . . . . Camponotus evae zeuxis

Figure 241.

46

return to couplet #41

Clypeus rugose, matt, with strong pitting on its surface and on surrounding genae, clypeus flattened in profile (Figure 242) . . . . . Camponotus claripes group sp. JDM 288

Figure 242.

Clypeus smooth, shining, at most with only minor pitting on its surface and on surrounding genae, clypeus usually slightly protuberant in profile (Figure 243) . . . . . 47

Figure 243.

47

return to couplet #46

Bicoloured or pale species with ochre highlights on mesosoma, at least . . . . . 48

More-or-less uniformly black or blackish-brown species with pale legs . . . . . 51

48

return to couplet #47

Head much darker than mesosoma; anteromedial clypeal margin with a weak notch; vertex of head capsule weakly concave . . . . . Camponotus claripes nudimalis

Either head the same colour as mesosoma, or only slightly darker, or anteromedial clypeal margin straight or crenulate, without notch, or vertex of head capsule markedly concave . . . . . 49

49

return to couplet #48

Anteromedial margin of clypeus with notch; head ochre, contrasting with dark brown mesosoma and gaster . . . . . Camponotus insipidus (in part - also #53)

Anteromedial margin of clypeus without notch, though may be crenulate; head not lighter than mesosoma . . . . . 50

50

return to couplet #49

In full-face view, lateral sectors of clypeus strongly indented with central clypeal sector prominent, standing out in relief; external margin of mandible more-or-less uniformly rounded (minor workers with 8 ≥ mandibular teeth) (Figure 244) . . . . . Camponotus claripes group sp. JDM 63

Figure 244.

In full-face view, lateral sectors of clypeus only weakly indented, the central clypeal sector not prominent or standing out in relief; mandible triangular, its external margin oblique, only rounded in its apical quarter (minor workers with 6 mandibular teeth) (Figure 245) . . . . . Camponotus discors . . . Camponotus gibbinotus

Figure 245.

Camponotus discors major

Camponotus gibbinotus major

51

return to couplet #47

Larger species (HW ≈ 4 mm); in profile, metanotal groove a distinct notch (Figure 246) . . . . . Camponotus michaelseni . . . Camponotus tumidus

Figure 246.

Camponotus tumidus major

Smaller species (HW ≤ 3 mm); in profile metanotal groove indistinct or a small dimple (Figure 247) . . . . . 52

Figure 247.

52

return to couplet #51

Setae on venter of head capsule present . . . . . Camponotus claripes

Setae on venter of head capsule absent . . . . . 53

53

return to couplet #52

In full-face view, anteromedial clypeal margin with a weak notch, head triangular, expanded towards angles of vertex . . . . . Camponotus insipidus (in part - also #49)

In full-face view, anteromedial clypeal margin either without notch, or head not triangular . . . . . 54

54

return to couplet #53

In full-face view, mandibles short, compact, with five teeth (Figure 248) . . . . . Camponotus simpsoni

Figure 248.

In full-face view, mandibles of normal appearance, with six teeth or five strong teeth and additional denticle (Figure 249) . . . . . Camponotus darlingtoni

Figure 249.