Stenamma foveolocephalum

The type specimens and types of the synonym Stenamma carolinense were found in sparsely vegetated sandy soil. Nests found in Florida were in similar situations and had nest entrance holes that resembled fire ant foraging entrances. A small pile of sand granules were arranged discontinuously in a roughly circle shape around the entrance hole. Nests appeared to consist of small chambers located within 15 cm of the ground surface. Across their range specimens have been collected in sand scrub, open areas in pine scrub, power line cuts and along roadside berms. This species is suspected of foraging above ground in the winter months. It has been found in a number of southern states but in just a few localities.

DuBios and Davis speculated this species prefers disturbed habitat due to its openness. Such sites may aid the winter foraging habitats of Stenamma foveolocephalum by allowing more direct heating of the ground surface.

Smith 1930, DuBois and Davis 1998

Identification
From Stenamma brevicorne and its various forms Stenamma foveolocephalum differ in the following particulars: (1) larger eyes (which have 6-7 large ommatidia in their greatest diameter); (2) the reticulate-foveolate sculpturing of the head; (3) the transverse rugulae on the basal surface of the epinotum;, (4) the longer and somewhat subcampanulate shaped postpetiole; (5) the deeper body coloration; and (6) by the more highly glabrous surface of the head and thorax.

Smith 1930

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

Range
USA. Known from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and North Carolina.

Nomenclature

 *  foveolocephalum. Stenamma fovolocephala Smith, M.R. 1930b: 564 (w.) U.S.A. Spelling emended to foveolocephalum and senior synonym of carolinense: DuBois & Davis, 1998: 132.
 * carolinense. Stenamma carolinense Smith, M.R. 1951b: 156, figs. 1, 2 (w.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of foveolocephalum: DuBois & Davis, 1998: 132.

Type Material
Smith (1957) - One cotype worker in the U. S. National Museum which I hereby designate as the lectotype. A second cotype worker in the collection of the Department of Entomology of the Mississippi State College has apparently been lost. Southern slope of a thinly wooded hillside, two miles south of Ackerman,Mississippi. Described from two workers collected from sandy soil by M.R. Smith.

Etymology
Morphological. Presumed to be a reference to the reticulate-foveolate sculpturing of the head.

Additional References

 * DuBois, M. B. and L. R. Davis, Jr. 1998. Stenamma foveolocephalum (= S. carolinense) rediscovered (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae). Sociobiology. 32:125-138.
 * Smith, M. R. 1930. Description of three new North American ants, with biological notes. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 23:564-568.
 * Smith 1957