Key to Camponotus of India

Identification key to the known species of Camponotus from India based on the worker caste. Modified from Dhadwal & Bharti (2023).

Note: Camponotus gretae and Camponotus luteus are excluded from this key as their descriptions are based on reproductive castes. Camponotus velox is not included in the key because the identity of this taxon is obscure.

1

Mesosoma viewed from the side forming a regular arch without interruption by propodeum (Fig. 19A) => 2
Mesosoma viewed from the side interrupted by the propodeum, not forming a regular arch (Fig. 19B–D) => 53

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 19. Body in profile view. A. Camponotus arrogans. B. Camponotus socrates. C. Camponotus holosericeus. D. Camponotus selene. Scale bars = 1 mm.

2

return to couplet #1

Head with lateral and ventral setae abundant, long and suberect, providing a ‘bearded’ appeareance (Fig. 20A) => 3
Head with lateral and ventral setae absent to short, and never abundant (Fig. 20B) => 4

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 20. Head in full face view. A. Camponotus parabarbatus. B. Camponotus dolendus. Scale bars = 1 mm.

3

return to couplet #2

Head subtriangular with a shallowly concave posterior margin, body uniformly jet-black (Fig. 21A) => Camponotus parabarbatus
Head subrectangular, with gently convex posterior margin, body red brown in color (Fig. 21B) => Camponotus barbatus

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 21. Head in full face view. A. Camponotus parabarbatus Bharti & Wachkoo, 2014. B. Camponotus barbatus Roger, 1863. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B = 0.5 mm.

4

return to couplet #2

Metatibia spined beneath => 5
Metatibia without spined beneath => 27

5

return to couplet #4

Head, mesosoma and gaster concealed with sericeous pubescence or erect hairs (Fig. 22) => 6
Head, mesosoma and gaster lacking pubescence (Fig. 22B) => Camponotus dolendus

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 22. Body in profile view. A. Camponotus rufoglaucus. B. Camponotus dolendus. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B = 2 mm.

6

return to couplet #5

Gaster completely covered with sericeous pubescence (Fig. 23A) => 7
Gaster not covered with sericeous pubescence, but with either erect or decumbent setae (Fig. 23B) => 12

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 23. Gaster in lateral view. A. Camponotus parius. B. Camponotus japonicus. Scale bars: A = 0.5 mm; B = 1 mm.

7

return to couplet #6

Clypeus with a median lobe produced anteriorly (Fig. 24A) => 8
Clypeus lacking a median lobe (Fig. 24B) => Camponotus mendax

Fig. 24. Clypeus in full face view. A. Camponotus rufoglaucus. B. Camponotus mendax. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B = 0.5 mm.

8

return to couplet #7

Clypeal lobe anteriorly transverse => 9
Clypeal lobe anteriorly emarginated medially => 10

9

return to couplet #8

Body with grey pubescence (Fig. 25A) => Camponotus binghamii
Body with yellow pubescence (Fig. 25B) => Camponotus parius

Fig. 25. Body in profile view. A. Camponotus binghamii. B. Camponotus parius. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

10

return to couplet #8

Petiolar node thin, slightly convex anteriorly and flat posteriorly => 11
Petiolar node thick and strongly convex anteriorly => Camponotus rufoglaucus tenuis

11

return to couplet #10

Mesosoma smooth; gaster black with a green ash-grey strip in the middle => Camponotus cinerascens
Mesosoma finely microreticulate; gaster reddish brown with no ash-grey strip in middle => Camponotus rufoglaucus

12

return to couplet #6

Gaster is covered in long, reclining yellowish setae (Fig. 26A) => 13
Gaster with short, sparse erect setae (Fig. 26B) => 14

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 26. Gaster in lateral view. A. Camponotus japonicus. B. Camponotus angusticollis. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B = 2 mm.

13

return to couplet #12

Pronotum angled anterolaterally; head with triangular shape widest occipitally (Fig. 27A–B) => Camponotus fulvopilosus
Pronotum rounded anterolaterally; head with rectangular shape, widest at the middle (Fig. 27C–D) => Camponotus japonicus

Fig. 27. Pronotum and head in full face view. A–B. Camponotus fulvopilosus. C–D. Camponotus japonicus. Scale bars = 1 mm.

14

return to couplet #12

Pronotum tightly constricted in the front, forming a neck (Fig. 28A) => 15
Pronotum not tightly constricted in front, not forming a neck (Fig. 28B) => 17

Fig. 28. Pronotum. A. Camponotus angusticollis. B. Camponotus compressus. Scale bars: A = 2 mm; B = 1 mm.

15

return to couplet #14

Anterior margin of clypeus transverse and dentate => 16
Anterior margin of clypeus convex and feebly dentate => Camponotus ashokai

16

return to couplet #15

Head as long as broad with lateral sides converging anteriorly (Fig. 29A) => Camponotus angusticollis
Head distinctly longer than broad with lateral sides parallel (Fig. 29B) => Camponotus angusticollis sanguinolentus

Fig. 29. Head in full face view. A. Camponotus angusticollis. B. Camponotus angusticollis sanguinolentus. Scale bars = 1 mm.

17

return to couplet #14

Head, mesosoma and gaster black => Camponotus compressus
Head, mesosoma and gaster never all black => 18

18

return to couplet #17

Scape flat => Camponotus misturus fornaronis
Scape cylindrical => 19

19

return to couplet #18

Metatibia compressed (Fig. 30A) => 20
Metatibia cylindrical (Fig. 30B) => 26

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 30. Tibia. A. Camponotus arrogans. B. Camponotus buddhae. Scale bars = 1 mm.

20

return to couplet #19

Body unicoloured, castaneous red in colour => 21
Head and gaster black or castaneous red, mesosoma varying from yellow to brown in colour => 22

21

return to couplet #20

In major worker body length over 15 mm and in minor worker body length over 10 mm => Camponotus festinus
In major worker, body length not over than 8 mm; in minor worker body length 5 mm => Camponotus arrogans

22

return to couplet #20

Median lobe of clypeus long and rectangular (Fig. 31A) => 23
Median lobe of clypeus short and round (Fig. 31B) => 25

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 31. Clypeus in full face view. A. Camponotus sylvaticus basalis. B. Camponotus irritans. Scale bars = 1 mm.

23

return to couplet #22

Head, mesosoma and legs ferruginous-red to reddish-brown; gaster reddish-brown or blackish brown => Camponotus sylvaticus basalis
Head black; mesosoma, gaster and legs partly yellow brown => 24

24

return to couplet #23

Head much broader posteriorly than anteriorly, petiole node thin in profile and convex anteriorly => Camponotus sylvaticus paradichrous
Head as broad posteriorly as anteriorly, petiole node remarkably thick and convex anteriorly => Camponotus kattensis

25

return to couplet #22

Head and mesosoma reddish brown with gaster black; occipital margin widely emarginated in major workers => Camponotus irritans
Head and mesosoma yellowish brown with gaster somewhat dark in colour; occipital margin feebly emarginated in major workers => Camponotus irritans carensis

26

return to couplet #19

Head and mesosoma finely sculptured, shiny (Fig. 32A) => Camponotus oblongus
Head and mesosoma coarsely reticulate-punctate, matte (Fig. 32B) => Camponotus oblongus binominatus

Fig. 32. Head and mesosoma. A. Camponotus oblongus (Smith, 1858). B. Camponotus oblongus binominatus. Scale bars = 1 mm.

27

return to couplet #4

Tibiae covered with long erect setae => Camponotus buddhae
Tibiae covered with very widely spaced, adpressed setae => 28

28

return to couplet #27

Head, mesosoma and gaster unicoloured, black => 29
Head, mesosoma and gaster bicoloured, never all black {{Go to|31}

29

return to couplet #28

Petiole node thick in profile, trapezoidal with rounded top (Fig. 33A) => Camponotus crassisquamis
Petiole node is thin in profile and tapered towards the top (Fig. 33B) => 30

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 33. Petiole in lateral view. A. Camponotus crassisquamis. B. Camponotus lamarckii. Scale bars = 1 mm.

30

return to couplet #29

Clypeus vertically carinate, tibiae prismatic (Fig. 34A) => Camponotus lamarckii
Clypeus not vertically carinate, tibiae cylindrical (Fig. 34B) => Camponotus sholensis

Fig. 34. Clypeus in full face view. A. Camponotus lamarckii. B. Camponotus sholensis. Scale bars = 1 mm.

31

return to couplet #28

Mesosoma strongly convex anteriorly, forming a high shouldered look to the body => Camponotus invidus
Mesosoma moderately convex => 32

32

return to couplet #31

Tibiae cylindrical => 33
Tibiae compressed => 40

33

return to couplet #32

Median lobe of clypeus anteriorly convex => Camponotus wroughtonii
Median lobe of clypeus anteriorly transverse, straight => 34

34

return to couplet #33

Head triangular, lateral occipital angles prominent (Fig. 35A); legs covered with sparse decumbent hairs => 35
Head subtriangular, lateral occipital angles not prominent (Fig. 35B); legs covered with dense recumbent hairs => 36

Fig. 35. Head in full face view. A. Camponotus variegatus infuscus. B. Camponotus barbatus taylori. Scale bars = 1 mm.

35

return to couplet #33

Head, mesosoma and gaster dark brown or black => Camponotus variegatus infuscus
Head, mesosoma and gaster entirely pale yellowish in colour => Camponotus variegatus dulcis

36

return to couplet #33

Major worker: length under 8 mm, minor worker under 6 mm => 37
Major worker: length over 8 mm, minor worker: over 6 mm => 38

37

return to couplet #36

Gaster without yellow spots on first and second abdominal tergites (Fig. 36A) => Camponotus barbatus taylori
Gaster with yellow spots on first and second abdominal tergites (Fig. 36B) => Camponotus albosparsus

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 36. Gaster in dorsal view. A. Camponotus barbatus taylori. B. Camponotus albosparsus. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; b = 0.5 mm.

38

return to couplet #36

Node of petiole thick in profile and biconvex in shape => 39
Node of petiole thin in profile, convex anteriorly and flat posteriorly => Camponotus variegatus somnificus

39

return to couplet #38

Clypeus tectiform with short median lobe; mesosoma generally yellowish red, head and gaster brownish in colour (Fig. 37A) => Camponotus variegatus
Clypeus subcarinate without median lobe; mesosoma generally black, head and mesosoma brownish black (Fig. 37B) => Camponotus variegatus bacchus

Fig. 37. Head in full face view. A. Camponotus variegatus. B. Camponotus variegatus bacchus. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

40

return to couplet #32

Head, mesosoma and gaster finely rugulose and matte => 41
Head, mesosoma and gaster sparsely punctured, shining not matte => 45

41

return to couplet #40

Petiole node thick in profile, oval anteriorly convex and flat posteriorly => Camponotus sklarus
Petiole node thin slightly, rounded above, convex anteriorly and concave posteriorly => 42

42

return to couplet #41

Mandibles with 7 teeth, body covered with dense long pilosity (Fig. 38A) => 43
Mandibles with 5 teeth, body with sparse long pilosity (Fig. 38B) => 44

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 38. Head in full face view. A. Camponotus nicobarensis. B. Camponotus exiguoguttatus. Scale bars = 1 mm.

43

return to couplet #42

Clypeus weakly carinate and clypeal lobe anteriorly convex (Fig. 39A) => Camponotus nicobarensis
Clypeus distinctly carinate and clypeal lobe anteriorly transverse (Fig. 39B) => Camponotus exiguoguttatus

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 39. Head in full face view. A. Camponotus nicobarensis. B. Camponotus exiguoguttatus. Scale bars = 1 mm.

44

return to couplet #42

Petiole nodiform; In dorsal view first and second gastral tergite with two white bands; half of coxal margin, trochanter and distal margin of femur with white bands (Fig. 40A) => Camponotus sp. 101
Petiole scale like ; In dorsal view, whole gaster with black and yellowish alternate bands; half of coxal margin, trochanter and distal margin of femur without white bands (Fig. 40B) => Camponotus habereri

Fig. 40. Gaster in dorsal view. A. Camponotus sp. 101. B. Camponotus habereri. Scale bars = 1 mm.

45

return to couplet #40

Unicolored, head, mesosoma and gaster dark castaneous brown => 46
Bicoloured, head and gaster fuscous brown, mesosoma variable from yellow-brown to dark brown => 48

46

return to couplet #45

Pronotum longer than mesonotum, strongly constricted anteriorly forming a distinct neck (Fig. 41A) => Camponotus carin
Pronotum almost equal in length to mesonotum, only slightly constricted in front not forming a distinct neck (Fig. 41B) => 47

Fig. 41. Mesosoma in dorsal view. A. Camponotus carin. B. Camponotus thraso. Scale bars = 1 mm.

47

return to couplet #46

Meso-metanotal suture indistinct => Camponotus thraso
Meso-metanotal suture distinct => Camponotus keralensis

48

return to couplet #45

Distance between frontal carinae equal to the distance between eyes and frontal carinae (Fig. 42A) => 49
Distance between frontal carinae distinctly greater than the distance between eyes and frontal carinae (Fig. 42B) => Camponotus irritans pallidus

Fig. 42. Median portion of head. A. Camponotus variegatus fuscithorax. B. Camponotus irritans pallidus. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

49

return to couplet #48

Coxae and base of femora yellow, without any trace of brown => Camponotus variegatus fuscithorax
Coxae and base of femora yellowish brown => 50

50

return to couplet #49

Body covered with erect dense pubescence, node of petiole thin and scale like (Fig. 43A) => 51
Body covered with sparse erect pubescence, node of petiole thick and bluntly rounded in shape (Fig. 43B) => Camponotus meghalayaensis

Fig. 43. Body in profile view. A. Camponotus mitis. B. Camponotus meghalayaensis. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B = 2 mm.

51

return to couplet #50

Head distinctly longer than wide with parallel lateral sides and mandibles with 6 teeth (Fig. 44A) => Camponotus simoni
Head subtriangular, longer than wide with arched lateral sides and mandibles with 7 teeth (Fig. 44B) => 52

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 44. Head in full face view. A. Camponotus simoni. B. Camponotus mitis. Scale bars = 1 mm.

52

return to couplet #51

Eyes large, placed up in position to the median line of the head => Camponotus timidus
Eyes small, frontal rather than lateral => Camponotus mitis

53

return to couplet #1

The propodeum not elevated above metanotum, forming a continous line (Fig. 45A) => 54
The propodeum is raised gibbous or forms an angle with the mesonotum, interrupting the regular arch of the mesosoma (Fig. 45B) => 63

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 45. Mesosoma in profile view. A. Camponotus socrates. B. Camponotus opaciventris. C. Camponotus mutilarius. Scale bars = 1 mm.

54

return to couplet #53

Clypeus anteriorly emarginated in the middle (Fig. 46A) => 55
Clypeus anteriorly not emarginated in the middle (Fig. 46B) => 56

Fig. 46. Clypeus. A. Camponotus himalayanus. B. Camponotus socrates. Scale bars = 1 mm.

55

return to couplet #54

Head, mesosoma and gaster covered with long erect or suberect hair (Fig. 47A) => Camponotus rufifemur
Body with very short and very sparse appressed pubescence (Fig. 47B) => Camponotus himalayanus

Fig. 47. Body in profile view. A. Camponotus rufifemur. B. Camponotus himalayanus. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

56

return to couplet #54

Scape flattened => Camponotus radiatus
Scape cylindrical => 57

57

return to couplet #56

Larger species, with a body length of more than 10 mm in major worker and 7 mm in minor worker => 58
Smaller species, with body length less than 7 mm, even in major workers => 60

58

return to couplet #57

Clypeus broad and slightly tectiform, with a transverse anterior edge => 59
Clypeus subcarinate, trapeziform and with a subcrenulate anterior border => Camponotus socrates

59

return to couplet #58

Body with abundant brown or yellow pilosity, especially in head and gaster (Fig. 48A) => Camponotus aethiops cachmiriensis
Body with a few grey scattered hairs (Fig. 48B) => Camponotus siemsseni

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 48. Body in profile view. A. Camponotus aethiops cachmiriensis. B. Camponotus siemsseni. Not to scale.

60

return to couplet #58

Head, mesosoma and gaster black => 61
Head, mesosoma and gaster reddish brown => 62

61

return to couplet #60

Mesosomal dorsum and petiole without standing hairs; metanotal depression distinct => Camponotus keihitoi
Mesosomal dorsum and petiole with standing hairs; metanotal depression absent => Camponotus quadrinotatus

62

return to couplet #60

Head longer than broad, subtruncate anteriorly and occipital margin transverse; mandibles large => Camponotus reticulatus latitans
Head as long as broad, not subtruncate anteriorly, occipital margin round; mandibles small => Camponotus indeflexus

63

return to couplet #53

Propodeum elevated, rounded above and gibbous (Fig. 49A) => 64
Propodeum forming an angle with the mesonotum at the meso-metanotal suture; basal portion of propodeum horizontal, flat, or slightly concave; apical portion excavate (Fig. 49B) => 69

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 49. Mesosoma in profile view. A. Camponotus mutilarius. B. Camponotus opaciventris. Scale bars = 1 mm.

64

return to couplet #63

Humeri angulated (Fig. 50A) => 65
Humeri rounded (Fig. 50B) => 66

Fig. 50. Mesosoma in dorsal view. A. Camponotus wasmanni. B. Camponotus confucii. Scale bars = 1 mm.

65

return to couplet #64

Body completely black (Fig. 51A) => Camponotus wasmanni
Head black, mesosoma, petiole and first gastral tergite reddish in colour (Fig. 51B) => Camponotus mutilarius

Fig. 51. Body in profile view. A. Camponotus wasmanni. B. Camponotus mutilarius. Not to scale.

66

return to couplet #64

Body length above 9 mm => 67
Body length below 9 mm => Camponotus confucii

67

return to couplet #66

Mesosoma and petiole finely reticulate punctate and rugulose (Fig. 52A) => 68
Mesosoma and petiole coarsely punctured (Fig. 52B) => Camponotus holosericeus

Fig. 52. Body in profile view. A. Camponotus camelinus. B. Camponotus holosericeus. Scale bars = 2 mm.

68

return to couplet #67

Bicoloured, head blood-red; mesosoma, petiole and gaster blackish in colour => Camponotus singularis
Unicoloured, head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster dark blackish => Camponotus camelinus

69

return to couplet #63

Hind tibia spined beneath => 70
Hind tibia without spined benath => 74

70

return to couplet #69

Clypeus tectiform (Fig. 53A) => Camponotus varians
Clypeus convex (Fig. 53B) => 71

Fig. 53. Clypeus. A. Camponotus varians. B. Camponotus puniceps. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

71

return to couplet #70

Petiole rounded and knob like, body black (Fig. 54A) => 72
Petiole scale like with narrow apex, anterior surface slightly concave and sloping, posterior surface upright, body reddish (Fig. 54B) => Camponotus puniceps

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 54. Petiole in lateral view. A. Camponotus sericeus. B. Camponotus puniceps. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

72

return to couplet #71

Body covered with dense pubescence, sculpture not distinct => 73
Body without dense pubescence, sculpture distinct => Camponotus opaciventris

73

return to couplet #72

Head, mesosoma without pubescence and gaster covered with dense golden pubescence (Fig. 55A) => Camponotus sericeus
Head, mesosoma and gaster covered with dense greyish pubescence (Fig. 55B) => Camponotus sericeus peguensis

Dhadwal & Bharti, (2023), Fig. 55. Body in profile view. A. Camponotus sericeus. B. Camponotus sericeus peguensis. Scale bars: A = 2 mm; B = 0.5 mm.

74

return to couplet #69

Propodeum with a pair of lamellate spines; dorsal surface transversely grooved (Fig. 56A) => 75
Propodeum without spines; dorsal surface of petiole is smooth (Fig. 56B) => 76

Fig. 56. Propodeum in dorsal view. A. Camponotus selene. B. Camponotus nirvanae. Scale bars = 1 mm.

75

return to couplet #74

Petiole dorsally transversely grooved; head and mesosoma densely reticulate punctate and matte => Camponotus selene
Petiole with obtuse tip, not grooved; head and mesosoma densely punctuated not matte => Camponotus selene obtusatus

76

return to couplet #74

Petiole emarginated above; body entirely black (Fig. 57A) => Camponotus horseshoetus
Petiole rounded above; head and mesosoma reddish, gaster somewhat dark (Fig. 57B) => 77

Fig. 57. Body in dorsal view. A. Camponotus horseshoetus. B. Camponotus nirvanae. Scale bars = 1 mm.

77

return to couplet #76

Mandibles triangular; clypeus is large and convex with anterior border rounded medially and sinuate at sides => Camponotus varius
Mandibles sub triangular; clypeus sub truncate anteriorly and anterolateral corners broadly rounded => Camponotus nirvanae

References

Dhadwal, T., Bharti, H. 2023. Two new species of the genus Camponotus Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with five new records from India. European Journal of Taxonomy 901, 1-51 (doi:10.5852/ejt.2023.901.2317).