Solenopsis pygmaea species complex

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

Solenopsis pygmaea Species Complex / Key to workers / Clave a las obreras

This is a group of New World thief ants in the genus Solenopsis.

Diagnosis - The pygmaea group appears to be a monophyletic group in which workers are characterized by being extremely small (1.20-1.45 mm total length), with very small and poorly developed eyes (occasionally without pigment), having elongated heads, very coarse cephalic punctures and very well-developed clypeal teeth (Moreno-Gonzalez 2001). The notopropodeal suture is only slightly impressed and the postpetiole is circular or nearly circular as seen from above. The legs are relatively short and stocky and usually covered with relatively coarse, erect or suberect hairs. Solenopsis minutissima is a Brazilian species, but it is very similar to the species in North America (Moreno-Gonzalez 2001). It has an elongate head, coarse punctures and poorly developed eyes and the meso soma is narrower and shorter than the North American species and is usually not very hairy (Moreno-Gonzalez 2001).