Key to Solenopsis wasmannia species complex

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online

The following is based on: Pacheco, J.A. & Mackay, W.P. 2013. The systematics and biology of the New World thief ants of the genus Solenopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Edwin Mellen Press, Lewiston, New York. 501 pp. PDF

The wasmannii species complex is a group of New World thief ants in the genus Solenopsis.

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1

  • Eye small, with at least 2 ommatidia; clypeus of worker lacking carinae; concolorous yellow or orange; Guatemala to Argentina, Caribbean . . . . . Solenopsis succinea
Solenopsis succinea casent0902342 h 1 high.jpg
Solenopsis succinea casent0902342 p 1 high.jpg
  • Eye larger, ommatidia ranging from 3-18 (typically 10-12); clypeus of minor worker bicarinate; typically bicolored red with black gaster (occasionally concolorous medium to dark brown) . . . . . 2

2

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  • Major with large, coarsely punctate head, very distinct from minor workers . . . . . 3
  • Major with slightly enlarged head with fine, sparse punctures; morphologically similar to minors . . . . . 4

3

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  • Minor worker with 5 well developed clypeal teeth; Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina . . . . . Solenopsis wasmannii
Solenopsis wasmannii casent0178149 head 1.jpg
Solenopsis wasmannii casent0178149 profile 1.jpg
  • Minor worker without clypeal teeth or poorly defined denticles; Brazil, Paraguay . . . . . Solenopsis iheringi
Solenopsis iheringi casent0178133 head 1.jpg
Solenopsis iheringi casent0178133 profile 1.jpg

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  • Petiole about as long (at upper level of anterior peduncle) as height (upper level of peduncle to apex of petiole) viewed laterally; bicolored (light brown with dark brown gaster); eyes with about 3-5 ommatidia; Belize to Bolivia . . . . . Solenopsis bicolor
Carebarella bicolor casent0178631 head 1.jpg
Carebarella bicolor casent0178631 profile 1.jpg
  • Petiole thickened and quadrate-shaped (viewed laterally), usually longer (at upper level of anterior peduncle) than high (upper level of peduncle to apex of petiole); bicolored (medium brown to dark reddish-brown, often with slightly darker gaster; eyes relatively large with greater than 10 ommatidia; Costa Rica to Venezuela, Guiana . . . . . Solenopsis altinodis