Key to Linepithema of Columbia

This worker key is based on: Escarraga, M., Guerrero, R.J. 2016. The ant genus Linepithema (Formicidae Dolichoderinae) in Colombia. Zootaxa 4208: 446–458 (DOI 10.11646/zootaxa.4208.5.3).

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• Linepithema
• Colombia

1

• Anterior portion of the metapleural gland orifice with moderate to abundant appressed hairs (sometimes individuals must be observed in dorsal-oblique position) . . . . . 2

• Anterior portion of the metapleural gland orifice lacking pubescence, or with a few scattered appressed hairs . . . . . . 4

2

return to couplet #1

• Pronotum with one pair of erect setae (may be lost); maxillary palps long, more than half of HL; metanotal groove slightly or not impressed; propodeum low and rounded . . . . . Linepithema neotropicum

• Pronotum usually without erect setae, rarely with one pair; length of maxillary palps half or less than HL; metanotal groove slightly to moderately impressed; propodeum inclined anteriorly, with dorsal and posterior face forming an obtuse angle. . . . . . 3

3

return to couplet #2

• Antennal scapes relatively short, usually less than HL; pronotum and first gastric tergite bearing setae (sometimes may be lost); mesonotum angular, with a posterior declivous face and sometimes swollen . . . . . Linepithema gallardoi

• Antennal scapes long, equal or longer than HL; pronotum and first gastric tergite without setae; mesonotum straight, not angular or swollen . . . . . Linepithema humile

4

return to couplet #1 Posterior portion of clypeus with a weakly developed to absent groove (presutural clypeal groove) . . . . . 5

• Presutural clypeal groove well-developed . . . . . 6

5

return to couplet #4

• Dorsum of the head with more than 5 erect setae, mesosoma slender, dorsum of the mesonotum with a moderate to strong medial impression, body surface glossy and shiny . . . . . Linepithema iniquum

• Dorsum of the head never with more than 5 erect setae, mesosoma more robust, medial impression on the mesonotum slightly impressed or not impressed at all, body not as glossy and shiny . . . . . Linepithema dispertitum

6

return to couplet #4

• Pronotum bearing more than 10 erect setae, whole body surface with long or short erect setae . . . . . Linepithema hirsutum

• Pronotum with fewer than 10 erect setae, whole body surface never covered with erect setae . . . . . 7

7

return to couplet #6

• Posterior margin of the head deeply concave, dorsum of mesonotum never with a medial impression, pronotum usually with 4 (2–8) erect to suberect setae . . . . . Linepithema tsachila

• Posterior margin of the head straight to slightly concave, dorsum of mesonotum without medial impression or slightly impressed, pronotum never with more than 4 erect setae . . . . . 8

8

return to couplet #7

• Antennal scapes short, surpassing the posterior margin of the head by less than length of the pedicel; propodeum relatively high, with distinct anterior, dorsal and posterior faces, sometimes dorsal face slightly depressed . . . . . Linepithema angulatum

• Antennal scapes relatively long, surpassing the posterior margin of the head by at least length of the pedicel; propodeum usually rounded, not as above . . . . . Linepithema piliferum