Technomyrmex ilgi

T. ilgi has been found nesting in soil and under rotten wood, and under the loose bark of fallen logs. It forages in the soil and leaf litter but also ascends shrubs and low vegetation, where it tends homopterous insects. (Bolton 2007)

Identification
Bolton (2007) - This species resembles Technomyrmex lasiops but the two are easily separated by the characters given in the key. The most obvious difference lies in their respective palp formulae, PF 6,4 in ilgi  but PF 5,3 in lasiops.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe.

Nomenclature

 *  ilgi. Engramma ilgi Forel, 1910c: 264 (w.m.) ETHIOPIA. Combination in Technomyrmex: Shattuck, 1992c: 160. Senior synonym of gowdeyi, stygium: Bolton, 2007a: 23.
 * stygium. Engramma stygium Santschi, 1911c: 363 (w.m.) KENYA. Santschi, 1914b: 117 (q.). Combination in Technomyrmex: Shattuck, 1992c: 161. Subspecies of ilgi: Santschi, 1914b: 117. Junior synonym of ilgi: Bolton, 2007a: 23.
 * gowdeyi. Engramma gowdeyi Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 207, fig. 53 (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Combination in Technomyrmex: Shattuck, 1992c: 160. Junior synonym of ilgi: Bolton, 2007a: 23.

Worker
Bolton (2007) - TL 2.7 - 3.5, HL 0.70 - 0.87, HW 0.70 - 0.85, SL 0.58 - 0.70, PW 0.45 - 0.58, WL 0.78 - 1.04 (15 measured). Indices: CI 96 - 100, SI 82 - 87, OI 21 - 25, EPI 80 - 90, DTI 100 -112.

Dorsum of head behind clypeus with only 2 pairs of setae: in profile the anterior pair located at about the level of the anterior margin of the eye, the second pair at the posterior margin of the head; both pairs slightly shorter than the maximum diameter of the eye. (In a single worker another, much shorter, single seta (not paired) was present closer to the torulus.) Head in full-face view short and broad. Eyes small, located just in front of the midlength and their outer margins set well in from the outline of the sides. Anterior clypeal margin with a conspicuous semicircular to short U-shaped median notch; inner margin of notch meets anterior clypeal margin in a sharp angle on each side. Posterior margin of head broadly shallowly impressed across its width, usually most indented medially. Scape relatively short, SI < 90 in material examined. Mesosoma short and stocky (DTI < 120), very stoutly built; metanotal groove sharply but only shallowly impressed. Propodeum in profile with the dorsum short, the declivity long and sloping. Number of setal pairs on mesosoma: pronotum 1 - 3; mesonotum 2 - 3; propodeal dorsum 0; lateral marsin of propodeal declivity 1 - 2, just above the spiracle. Gastral tergites 1 - 4 each with stout setae present, the longest of them usually longer than the maximum diameter of the eye. Sculpture on the head weak and superficial. Colour uniform light brown, dark brown, blackish brown or black; colour appears consistent within nest series but varies between series. Middle and hind tarsi the same colour as the body or a little lighter.

Type Material
Bolton (2007) - Syntype workers, Ethiopia: “West Abessinien” no loc. (Ilg) [examined].