Technomyrmex vitiensis

Technomyrex vitiensis is a wide-ranging tramp species which is known from Europe and India east across the South Pacific. It nests in a wide variety of locations and has been collected from leaf litter, under stones, in rotten wood and from vegetation where it may nest in twigs, rot holes and spathes. Foraging is carried out in all of these places and the species, as well as avidly tending homopterous insects for honeydew, will also kill and consume small arthropods.

Identification
For identification of this species see the Pacific Invasive Ant key

Distribution
This taxon was described from Fiji Is. It is found in the United States, Philippines, New Guinea, French Guiana, Kenya, India, Comoros, Seychelles, Mayotte, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vanuatu, Samoa, Niue, Borneo and New Caledonia.

Nomenclature

 *  vitiensis. Technomyrmex albipes var. vitiensis Mann, 1921: 473 (w.) FIJI IS. Santschi, 1928a: 52 (m.). Junior synonym of albipes: Wilson & Taylor, 1967: 82. Revived from synonymy, raised to species and senior synonym of rufescens: Bolton, 2007a: 104.
 * rufescens. Technomyrmex albipes st. rufescens Santschi, 1928c: 70, fig. 1 (w.) FIJI IS. Junior synonym of albipes: Wilson & Taylor, 1967: 82; of vitiensis: Bolton, 2007a: 104.