Polyrhachis varicolor

In Thailand, nests of P. varicolor were found on the underside of plant leaves or between leaves in dry evergreen forests and evergreen forests (2–5 m above the ground). Silk, carton and other materials were used in constructing the nests (Jaitrong et al., 2023).

Identification
Kohout (2008) - Polyrhachis fruhstorferi is similar to P. varicolor. The sculpturation in both species consists of reticulate-punctation, however, it is distinctly finer in P. varicolor. The petiolar spines in P. varicolor are longer and more slender, while in P. fruhstorferi they are rather stubby. The colour of the body in P. fruhstorferi is mostly black, with only the legs and gaster very dark reddish-brown. In contrast, the body of P. varicolor, including the antennae and legs, is distinctly orange or light reddish-brown with the tarsi, gaster and apices of the petiolar spines darker reddish-brown and the frontal carinae and lateral margins of mesosoma narrowly lined with dark brown.

Jaitrong et al. (2023) - Polyrhachis varicolor is similar to P. flavicornis. See Polyrhachis flavicornis for details.

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

Nomenclature

 *  varicolor. Polyrhachis (Campomyrma) fruhstorferi subsp. varicolor Viehmeyer, 1916a: 163 (w.q.) SINGAPORE. Combination in P. (Myrmatopa): Emery, 1925b: 180. Raised to species: Kohout, 2008a: 259. See also: Noon-Anant, et al. 2009: 177.

Type Material
Kohout (2008) - Syntype workers, queen. SINGAPORE (H. Overbeck), (examined).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Noon-Anant N., R. Kohout, S. Watanasit, S. Yamane, and D. Wiwatwitaya. 2009. Additional Records of Polyrhachis (Myrmatopa) varicolor Viehmeyer (Formicidae: Formicinae) from Southern Thailand, with Notes on Its Nesting Habits. The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University 9(2): 171-188.
 * Noon-anant N.; Kohout, R.; Watanasit, S.; Yamane, S.; Wiwatwitaya, D. 2009. Additional records of Polyrhachis (Myrmatopa) varicolor Viehmeyer (Formicidae: Formicinae) from Southern Thailand, with notes on Its nesting habits. The natural history journal of Chulalongkorn University 9: 171-188.
 * Viehmeyer H. 1916. Ameisen von Singapore. Beobachtet und gesammelt von H. Overbeck. Archiv für Naturgeschichte (A)81(8):108-168.