Strumigenys yaleogyna

Parasitic species living in mixed nests with the larger Strumigenys loriae (Wilson & Brown 1956). Workers exploit coccids inside the nest for honeydew.

Identification
A member of the Strumigenys mutica-group. See notes under Strumigenys mutica. See Wilson and Brown 1956. The type material was collected in a rainforest.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Biology
Wilson & Brown (1956) - this parasitic species is incapable of capturing prey, this task being done by their hosts Strumigenys loriae. Workers were observed exploiting Pseudococcidae that affix themselves onto roots in nest chambers. One colony in a large rotting moss-covered log lying on the ground consisted of 1170 workers, 4 dealate queens, 84 alate queens and 51 males. Its host colony numbered 1622 workers and 16 dealate queens. Host and parasite pupae were mixed together in several chambers. Dealate queens and workers of both species were distributed amicably throughout the nest. Trophallaxis was observed between adults.

Nomenclature

 *  yaleogyna. Kyidris yaleogyna Wilson & Brown, 1956: 443, fig. 3 (w.q.m.) NEW GUINEA. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1672; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 130. See also: Bolton, 2000: 456.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype queen (alate), paratype workers, queens and males, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Bisianumu, nr Sogeri, 15-20.iii.1955, 500 m., with Strumigenys loriae (nests no. 6 10, 647, 664), in rainforest (E. O. Wilson) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
 * Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.
 * Wilson E. O. 1959. Some ecological characteristics of ants in New Guinea rain forests. Ecology 40: 437-447.
 * Wilson E. O., and W. L. Brown, Jr. 1956. New parasitic ants of the genus Kyidris, with notes on ecology and behavior. Insectes Soc. 3: 439-454.