Colobostruma alinodis

This widespread species can be local abundant. It is found in a range of habitats from dry sclerophyll to rainforest and nests under rocks (Ants Down Under).

Identification
The presence of a 4-segmented antenna with an elongate second funicular segment will separate this taxon from others in the alinodis-group (Shattuck 2000).

Key to Australian Colobostruma Species

Distribution
Known from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  alinodis. Epopostruma alinodis Forel, 1913g: 179, pl. 2, figs. 1, 2 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA. Crozier, 1968b: 88 (k.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973c: 211 (l., misspelled as alata). Combination in Clarkistruma: Brown, 1948e: 124; in Colobostruma: Brown & Wilson, 1959b: 281. See also: Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 34.

Worker
Shattuck (2000) - WORKER. TL 2.2 - 3.4, HL 0.52 - 0.80, HW 0.48 - 0.66, CI 81 - 92, ML 0.13 - 0.17, MI 20 - 25, SL 0.24 - 0.47, SI 50 - 70, PW 0.32 - 0.43, AL 0.59 - 0.91 (7 measured). Anterior region of head rounding gradually from the dorsal to lateral surfaces, not phragmotic. In full-face view ridge immediately in front of eye weakly defined, concave. Frontal lobes and lateral margins of clypeus smooth relative to surrounding surface of the head. Mandibles broadly triangular. Hairs on dorsum of head scattered, thin. Posterior margin of head uniformly concave. Antenna with 4 or 5 segments, when 5-segmented the third funicular segment from the base is much shorter than the second segment; the second funicular segment long, more than twice the length of the first segment. Scape strongly elbowed and without a subbasal lobe. In dorsal view the widest point of the pronotum is at the humeral angles. Propodeum high, its posterior face greater in height than the petiolar node and with broad, thin lamellae; in profile the dorsum of the alitrunk essentially flat. Lateral postpetiole drawn outwards into thin flange-like wings, the wings with translucent windows along both their anterior and posterior margins, the windows separated by a narrow band of thickened integument and the anterior windows smaller than the posterior windows. First gastral tergite smooth, superimposed with low, closely spaced carinae on the anterolateral corners. Body colour yellow-brown to dark brown, dorsum of head and alitrunk often slightly darker, antennae and legs slightly lighter, gaster often with a slightly darker, broad medial band.

Type Material
Shattuck (2000) - Syntype workers and queen, AUSTRALIA: Tasmania, Railton (A.M. Lea) [examined].

Additional References

 * Shattuck, S. O. 2000. Genus Colobostruma. Genus Mesostruma. Genus Epopostruma. Pp. 31-67 in: Bolton, B. The ant tribe Dacetini. Mem. Am. Entomol. Inst. 65: 1-1028