Key to US Forelius species

Key to workers of Forelius species known from the United States, after Ward (2005).

1

• Standing hairs present on scapes, posterior margin of head, and external face of tibiae => Forelius mccooki

Head of Forelius mccooki worker

Profile of Forelius mccooki worker

• Standing hairs absent or very sparse on scapes, posterior margin of head, and external face of tibiae => Forelius pruinosus

Head of Forelius pruinosus worker

Profile of Forelius pruinosus worker

Note There is a third distinct (and apparently undescribed) species of Forelius in the United States. It is small and dark with a conspicuously shiny mesepisternum, short scapes (SL 0.40-0.48), and sparse standing pilosity. This species ranges from southern Texas to Colombia, and has been found sympatrically with a larger Forelius species—apparently F. pruinosus—in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica, without showing any sign of intergradation. [Ward, 2005]

References

• Ward, P.S. 2005. A synoptic review of the ants of California (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 936: 1-68.