Key to Temnothorax of Nepal

This key to Nepalese species of Temnothorax, based on the worker caste, is modified from Subedi et al. (2023).

1

• Propodeum without denticles or with very short blunt denticles, color uniformly brown to dark brown => 2
• Propodeum with spines of variable length, color from uniformly yellow or bicolor with brown head and gaster => 3

2

• Part of the head, as well as areas on the mesosoma largely smooth and shiny => Temnothorax wroughtonii

Temnothorax wroughtonii

• Entire surface of head and mesosoma strongly rugulose => Temnothorax kathmanduensis

• 

  Subedi et al. (2023), Fig. 3. Temnothorax kathmanduensis, worker, holotype. A – habitus, profile view; B – head, full-face view; C – habitus, dorsal view.

3

• Body uniformly yellow, scape short (SL/HL 0.65), propodeal spines straight and thin, weakly widened at base, directed upwards (ESL/HW 0.26) => Temnothorax buddha

[Note: ESL = propodeal spine length, the length of propodeal spine from its tip to the center of propodeal spiracle in profile-view]

• 

  Subedi et al. (2023), Fig. 1. Temnothorax buddha, worker, holotype. A – habitus, profile view; B – head, full-face view; C – habitus, dorsal view.

• Body bicolor, at least head and gaster distinctly darker than mesosoma, scape long (SL/HL 0.84–0.87), propodeal spines curved and widened at base (ESL/HW 0.20–0.23) => Temnothorax pathibharaensis

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  Subedi et al. (2023), Fig. 5. Temnothorax pathibharaensis, worker, holotype. A – habitus, profile view; B – head, full-face view; C – habitus, dorsal view.

References

• Subedi, I.P., Yusupov, Z.M., Budha, P.B. 2023. Three new species of the ant genus Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae, Myrmicinae) from Nepal. Far Eastern Entomologist, 475, 6–16 (doi:10.25221/fee.475.2).