Rhopalomastix johorensis

Wheeler (1929) - Viehmeyer cites Overbeck as having taken this species from several nests in the dead twigs of mango (Mangifera) and in the bark of durion trees (Durio zibethinus).

Wang, Yong & Jaitrong, 2018 - Often found in bark of common relatively large native tree species in secondary or disturbed forests, and abandoned or operational plantations. Colonies have frequently been collected from fruit trees, in particular mango trees (in both Singapore and Thailand).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Singapore. Oriental Region: Thailand.

Biology
In Singapore, four genera of diaspidid scale insects have been found in the tunnels chewed under bark by this ant (Matile-Ferrero & Foldi 2018, Yong & Peeters 2019).

Nomenclature

 *  johorensis. Rhopalomastix rothneyi subsp. johorensis Wheeler, W.M. 1929d: 96 (w.) SINGAPORE.
 * Status as species: Wang, Yong & Jaitrong, 2018: 316.
 * janeti. Rhopalomastix janeti Donisthorpe, 1936a: 55 (w.q.m.) THAILAND.
 * Junior synonym of johorensis: Wang, Yong & Jaitrong, 2018: 316.

Description
Length 2-2. 6 mm.

Distinctly larger than the typical rothneyi, which measures only 1.7- 1.8 mm. Head scarcely longer than broad (l lj6longer than broad in rothneyi) and with somewhat smaller eyes (13 to 15 facets, instead of about 20). Head and thorax rich ferruginous red; appendages, abdomen and sides and declivity of epinotum clear brownish yellow. I have recently received another series of specimens, comprising all three phases of a second subspecies of rothneyi from Java, which may be described as: Rhopalomastix rothneyi subsp. javana subsp. nov.