Strumigenys podarge

One of the two known collections of this species was found in an oak forest.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys extemena-group. The most northerly member of the extemena-group, podarge is also one of the most distinct. The long remiform hair that projects from the angle of the scape, the reticulate-punctate propodeal dorsum and declivity, the single pair of short standing hairs on the cephalic dorsum, the very broad waist segments and the blunt pronotal marginations are unique in the group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Nepal.

Nomenclature

 *  podarge. Pyramica podarge Bolton, 2000: 421, fig. 258 (w.) NEPAL. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 126

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.8, HL 0.44, HW 0.42, CI 95, ML 0.16, MI 36, SL 0.22, SI 52, PW 0.28, AL 0.49. Leading edge of scape with a pronounced anteriorly projecting angle near the base, the scape broadest at this point. Apex of scape angle equipped with a freely projecting long remiform hair that is about as long as the maximum scape width. Distal to the angle the leading edge of the scape with a row of apically curved small spoon-shaped hairs. Vertex of head traversed by a conspicuous arched ridge or crest that is most sharply defined in the median half of the head width. Apex of crest with a widely spaced pair of short erect simple hairs, each one some distance away from the midline on each side; these are the only standing hairs on the cephalic dorsum. Eye small, of only 3-4 ommatidia in total. Clypeus finely reticulate-granulate, remainder of head finely and densely reticulate-punctulate. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk without standing pilosity of any form. Disc of postpetiole with 1-2 pairs of short erect simple hairs and first gastral tergite with numerous suberect to erect short hairs, some of which are slightly flattened apically. Dorsolateral marginations of pronotum blunt and not raised, the pronotal dorsum flat to very shallowly concave, finely reticulate-punctulate and dully shining. Mesonotum, propodeal dorsum and upper half of declivity reticulate-punctate. Mesonotum transverse, its dorsum not narrowed nor forming a longitudinal crest. In profile the mesonotum highest anteriorly, forming a small rounded prominence behind the pronotum then sloping downward posteriorly. Pleurae and side of propodeum weakly superficially sculptured, not completely smooth. Lamellae on propodeal declivity broad. Petiole node in dorsal view finely punctulate, nearly two times broader than long (discounting spongiform lobes). Postpetiole disc smooth and slightly more than two times broader than long.

Paratype. TL 1.9, HL 0.46, HW 0.44, CI 96, ML 0.16, MI 35, SL 0.24, SI 55, PW 0.29, AL 0.50.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Nepal: Godawari, 1700 m., 24.v.1983 (M. Brendell).

Paratype. 1 worker with same data as holotype.