Aphaenogaster patruelis

Identification
Aphaenogaster patruelis ranges in color from dark brown to black, with lighter legs. The spines are minute, less than the width of the propodeal spiracle. (DeMarco, 2015)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Mexico.



Nomenclature

 *  patruelis. Aphaenogaster patruelis Forel, 1886b: xli (w.) MEXICO. Wheeler, W.M. 1934f: 133 (m.). Combination in Stenamma (Aphaenogaster): Emery, 1895c: 302; in Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma): Emery, 1921f: 59. Subspecies of subterranea: Emery, 1895c: 302. Revived status as species: Wheeler, W.M. 1904d: 270; see also: Wheeler, W.M. 1934f: 132. Senior synonym of willowsi: Creighton, 1950a: 146; of bakeri: Smith, D.R. 1979: 1362. Current subspecies: nominal plus carbonaria.
 * bakeri. Stenamma (Aphaenogaster) patruele subsp. bakeri Wheeler, W.M. 1904d: 270 (w.) U.S.A. Combination in Aphaenogaster: Wheeler, W.M. 1916h: 143; in Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma): Emery, 1921f: 59. Junior synonym of patruelis: Smith, D.R. 1979: 1362.
 * willowsi. Aphaenogaster patruelis subsp. willowsi Wheeler, W.M. 1933a: 64 (w.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of patruelis: Creighton, 1950a: 146.

Worker
Wheeler (1933) for Aphaenogaster patruelis willowsi - Differing from the typical patruelis in having the base of the epinotum straight and horizontal, not convex, and in certain details of coloration. Head, pronotum, pedicel and gaster very smooth and shining, base of epinotum very finely and indistinctly transversely striate, especially on the sides; mandibles, clypeus, cheeks and meso- and mctapleurae sharply, longitudinally rugulose. The epinotal teeth, though very small and resembling those of the much paler subspecies bakeri Wheeler from Catalina Island, are more slender and fully twice as long as broad at their bases. Deep reddish castaneous, almost black; mandibles, gula, the 4-jointed clubs of the antennre, scapes, trochanters, tips of coxae and legs red, the femora and tibiae dark brown, except at their bases and tips.

Male
Wheeler (1934) - measures about 3.5 mm. Head through the eyes slightly wider than long, broadly rounded behind, with very short cheeks. Mandibles well-developed, 6-toothed. Antennal scapes nearly four times as long as broad; funiculi long, the four terminal joints elongate, each constricted at its base and, with the exception of the terminal joint, also a1:.i its apex. Thorax long, through the wing-insertions broader than the head; mesonotum large, subhexagonal, as broad as long, anteriorly very convex and projecting, depressed posteriorly just in front of the scutellum; epinotum small, low and narrow, in profile with long, medially somewhat concave base and short, abrupt declivity, the two surfaces meeting at a right-angle. Petiole and postpetiole much as in the worker, but the nodes lower and more rounded. Gaster like that of the worker; legs more slender; hind tibiae slightly bent near the base. Sculpture and color as in the worker, but the body darker, nearly black; pilosity even less developed. Wings slightly brownish; veins brown; pterostigma dark brown.

Type Material
Wheeler (1933) - Aphaenogaster patruelis willowsi A single specimen from San Nicolas Island (III.15.' 32). Type, C. A. S. Ent., No. 3684.