Key to Neoponera foetida species complex: Queens

This key to queens is based on: Fernandes, I.O., De Oliveira, M.L. & Delabie, J.H.C. 2014. Description of two new species in the Neotropical Pachycondyla foetida complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae) and taxonomic notes on the genus. Myrmecological News 19, 133-163.

This key was published before Neoponera was revived as a genus. All of the species are in the genus Neoponera not Pachycondyla.

For more information about this species group please see the this page: Key to workers of foetida species complex.

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• Neoponera
• Key to males of Neoponera foetida species complex

1

• Anterior face of petiole vertical or slightly curved at apex . . . . . 2

• Anterior face of petiole concave . . . . . 8

2

return to couplet #1

• Side of petiole with horizontal striae . . . . . 3

• Side of petiole without horizontal striae . . . . . 4

3

return to couplet #2

• Posterior face of petiole completely covered with coarse, transverse striae; Mexico south to Bolivia . . . . . Neoponera foetida

• Posterior face of petiole without striae, or with poorly defined striae; Costa Rica to Brazil . . . . . Neoponera theresiae

4

return to couplet #2

• Pronotal carina inconspicuous (carina lacking); known only from Huánuco, Peru . . . . . Neoponera zuparkoi

• Pronotal carina sharp . . . . .

5

return to couplet #4

• Anteromedial area of clypeus with conspicuous horizontal striae; known only from Costa Rica . . . . . Neoponera insignis

• Anteromedial area of clypeus with longitudinal striae, fine striae obliquely angled or without striae . . . . . 6

6

return to couplet #5

• Medial part of clypeus with longitudinal ditch or furrow surrounded by longitudinal striae; known only from Heredia, Costa Rica . . . . . Neoponera solisi

• Medial part of clypeus without longitudinal ditch or furrow surrounded by longitudinal striae . . . . . 7

7

return to couplet #6

• Relatively small, head width < 2.20 mm; clypeus without striae; anterior margin of clypeus broadly convex; rarely collected, Nicaragua south to Ecuador . . . . . Neoponera bugabensis

• Relatively large, head width > 3.00 mm; clypeus with coarse striae; anterior margin of clypeus concave medially; USA south to Paraguay . . . . . Neoponera villosa

8

return to couplet #1

• Median portion of clypeus without striation; petiole strongly concave; Mexico south to southern Brazil . . . . . Neoponera inversa

• Median portion of clypeus with striation . . . . . 9

9

return to couplet #8

• Median portion of clypeus with strong transversal striation; petiole with striae on anterior face; Northern to southeastern Brazil . . . . . Neoponera billemma

• Median portion of clypeus with strong longitudinal striation; petiole without striae on anterior face; Nicaragua to southern Brazil . . . . . Neoponera curvinodis