Vollenhovia xingjun

This species produces ergatoid females and is one of the more common species in this genus in Taiwan. (Terayama 2009)

Identification
Terayama (2009) - This species most resembles Vollenhovia benzai, recorded in southern part of Japan by the low subpetiolar process and the densely punctate promesonotal dorsum without a longitudinal smooth band. However, it is separated from the latter by the much larger thin lamellar wall of subpetiolar process.

Some specimens have very weak triangular propodeal teeth.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Taiwan.

Nomenclature

 *  xingjun. Vollenhovia xingjun Terayama, 2009: 149, fig. 205 (w. ergatoid q.) TAIWAN.

Worker
HL 0.55, HW 0.48, SL 0.30, WL 0.68, PL 0.20, PH 0.30, DPW 0.18, PPL 0.20, PPH 0.20, PPW 0.20, TL 2.4. Head punctate, 1.16 times as long as wide, with shallowly concave posterior margin. CI = 86, SI = 63, eye 0.13 mm in diameter. Promesonotum densely punctate, with almost straight dorsal margin in profile; metanotal groove indistinct; posterodorsal corner of propodeum forming an angle. Petiole higher than long, with weakly convex dorsal margin; subpetiolar process low, its thin lamellar wall longer than high. Postpetiole as long as high, with convex dorsal and ventral margins. Gaster smooth and shining.

Color. Body yellowish brown, frons without a large brown spot, antenna and legs yellow.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker, Nanshanxi, Nanfen-Cun, Nantou Pref., 21.viii.1987, S. Kubota leg. Paratypes. 4w, same data as the holotype; 28w, 1 ergatoid female, Hueisenlinchan, Shinsheng-Cun, Nantou Pref., 28.vii.-2.viii.1988; 1w, Meizilin, Huchu-Cun, Nantou Pref., 28.vii.-2.vii.1988; 1w, Wushe, Nantou Pref., 5.viii.1982, M. Terayama leg.; 11w, 1 ergatoid female, Puli, Nantou Pref., 20.viii.1987, M. Terayama leg. The holotype is deposited in the collection of NIAES, and paratypes are in NSMT and TARI.

Etymology
The specific epithet is the Chinese noun Xingjun, which is the name of a Taiwanese goddess.