Solenopsis altinodis

From Wheeler, W. M. 1921), This species is found with Tachigalia but in the ground and not in petioles. In addition, it can often be found with Coccidotrophus and Eunausibius and destroys the colonies of these organisms. Additionally, this species can be found in ridge forest litter in Costa Rica and was collected at an elevation of 110m in Colombia. It was foraging on the vegetation in Venezuela.

Identification
A New World thief ant that is a member of the wasmannii species complex.

Pacheco and Mackay (2013) – Worker - This species is bicolored with a golden yellow body and a dark brown gaster. The eye is relatively large with 10-12 ommatidia The anterior border of the clypeus is lacking teeth. This species can• be easily recognized by the shape of the petiole. The petiole (side view) is approximately as wide as tall with the anterior edge rounded and lower than the posterior edge.

This species may be confused with Solenopsis bicolor (which overlaps in distribution) based on the anterior clypeal margin and bicolored coloration. However, it can be separated as the petiolar node is unique to this species and thus dissimilar in shape to that of C. bicolor where the petiole is narrow in side view. Additionally, C. bicolor has long erect hairs on all body surfaces and often 0.240 mm in total length on the mesosoma, as compared to the much shorter (0.100 mm) setae present on S. altinodis.

Keys

 * Key to New World Solenopsis Species Complexes
 * Key to Solenopsis wasmannia species complex / Clave a las obreras del complejo Solenopsis wasmannii

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  altinodis. Solenopsis altinodis Forel, 1912g: 10 (w.) VENEZUELA. See also: Wheeler, W.M. 1921f: 154.

Worker
Pacheco and Mackay (2013) - Measurements (n=6). TL 1.56-1.80 (1.7); HL 0.444-0.522 (0.483); HW 0390-0.450 (0.410); EL 0.060-0.072 (0.065); ED 0.054; SL 0.276-0.312 (0.292); FSL 0.120; CI 81.3-87.8 (84.9); SI 58.8-62.7 (60.5); PL 0.132-0.168 (0.152); PW 0.096-0.120 (0.111); PI 125.0-147.0 (137.0); PPL 0.120; PPW 0.144-0.156 (0.150); PPI 76.9-83.3 (80.1); WL 0.312-0.360 (0.339); PSL 0.030-0.042 (0.036); PSW 0.024.

Eye relatively large (approximately 10 ommatidia); minor segments of funiculus relatively long; clypeal teeth absent; clypeal carinae extend anteriorly, then abruptly turn inward, passing along anterior margin of clypeus; mesosoma deeply impressed at metanotal suture; area between two faces of propodeum nearly angulate, two faces approximately equal in length; petiole approximately as long from point of dorsum of anterior peduncle, as height from same point to apex, anterior edge rounded, lower than posterior edge, petiole laterally compressed when viewed from above, being narrower anteriorly.

Entire body covered with coarse, erect hairs, approximately 0.1 mm in length.

Type Material
Pacheco and Mackay (2013) - Venezuela, Zig Zag, (lectotype worker [here designated] and 5 paralectotype workers MHNG).