Aphaenogaster flemingi

This species nests in sandy soil, generally in open, disturbed areas, and has been collected in the nest of the leaf cutting ant Atta texana. Alate females were collected in a nest in mid-May.

Identification
The worker of this species can be recognized as the dorsal surface of the pronotum is very finely sculptured and strongly shiny, and the propodeal spines are well-developed, slender and sharp. The antennal scapes are very long, surpassing the posterior lateral margin by about three funicular segments.

The antennal scape of the female is also long, extending about three funicular segment past posterior lateral corner. The pronotal spines are very well-developed, but thickened at the base, and not slender as in the worker. The pronotum is only weakly shining, and covered with transverse striate. The species could be confused with Aphaenogaster tennesseensis.

Aphaenogaster flemingi has slender, upward pointing propodeal spines, feeble sculpturing on the mesosoma and an overall shiny appearance (DeMarco, 2015).

Identification Keys including this Taxon
Key to US Aphaenogaster species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.



Nomenclature

 *  flemingi. Aphaenogaster texana subsp. flemingi Smith, M.R. 1928c: 275 (w.) U.S.A. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1972b: 238 (l.). Combination in Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma): Creighton, 1950a: 143. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 143. Senior synonym of macrospina: Smith, M.R. 1958a: 113.
 * macrospina. Aphaenogaster texana subsp. macrospina Smith, M.R. 1934a: 386, figs. 1, 2 (w.) U.S.A. Combination in Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma): Creighton, 1950a: 145. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 145. Junior synonym of flemingi: Smith, M.R. 1958a: 113.