Key to Lepisiota species from Thailand

Key to the Thai species of Lepisiota based on worker caste (modified from Jerernkong et al., 2023).

1

Dorsa of head and pronotum smooth and shiny or reticulate, with smooth and shiny interspaces (Figs 2B, 5A) => 2
Dorsa of head and pronotum densely punctate (Figs 1B, 3B) => 4

Jarernkong et al. (2023), Fig 1. Lepisiota bicolor, holotype worker (THNHM-I-24825, THNHM). A – body in profile view; B – head in full-face view; C – body in dorsal view.
Jarernkong et al. (2023), Fig 2. Lepisiota siamensis, holotype worker (THNHM-I-26819, THNHM). A – body in profile view; B – head in full-face view; C – body in dorsal view.
Jarernkong et al. (2023), Fig 3. Lepisiota thepthepae, holotype worker (THNHM-I-26848, THNHM). A – body in profile view; B – head in full-face view; C – body in dorsal view.
Jarernkong et al. (2023), Fig 5. Lepisiota workers. A, B – L. rothneyi (non-type worker, THNHM-I-27018, THNHM); C – L. siamensis (holotype, THNHM-I-26819, THNHM); D – L. chutimae (holotype); A – head in full-face view; B, C, D – propodeum and petiole in profile view.

Propodeum without spines or denticles; petiole without spines (Fig. 5B); dorsum of mesosoma without standing hairs => Lepisiota rothneyi

Propodeum with spines or denticles; petiole with a pair of sharp spines (Fig. 5C–D); dorsum of mesosoma with standing hairs => 3

Jarernkong et al. (2023), Fig 5. Lepisiota workers. A, B – L. rothneyi (non-type worker, THNHM-I-27018, THNHM); C – L. siamensis (holotype, THNHM-I-26819, THNHM); D – L. chutimae (holotype); A – head in full-face view; B, C, D – propodeum and petiole in profile view.

Masticatory margins of mandibles with five teeth, including largest apical tooth followed by 2 small teeth, medium-sized prebasal tooth, and small basal tooth; body entirely yellow; posterior margin of head broadly convex => Lepisiota chutimae
Masticatory margins of mandibles with five teeth, including largest apical tooth, followed by medium-sized preapical tooth, a small tooth, medium-sized prebasal tooth, and small basal tooth; body entirely black or dark brown; posterior margin of head almost straight medially => Lepisiota siamensis

Jarernkong et al. (2023), Fig 2. Lepisiota siamensis, holotype worker (THNHM-I-26819, THNHM). A – body in profile view; B – head in full-face view; C – body in dorsal view.

Head, mesosoma, petiole, and gestral segment I yellow, remaining gastral segments dark brown; posterior clypeal margin straight medially (Fig. 1A) => Lepisiota bicolor

Jarernkong et al. (2023), Fig 1. Lepisiota bicolor, holotype worker (THNHM-I-24825, THNHM). A – body in profile view; B – head in full-face view; C – body in dorsal view.

Head and gaster dark brown; mesosoma and petiole reddish brown; posterior clypeal margin feebly concave medially (Fig. 3A) => Lepisiota thepthepae

Jarernkong et al. (2023), Fig 3. Lepisiota thepthepae, holotype worker (THNHM-I-26848, THNHM). A – body in profile view; B – head in full-face view; C – body in dorsal view.