Strumigenys havilandi

Identification
Bolton (1983) - In the arnoldi-complex havilandi is characterized by its long scapes, the structure of its mandibles and the form of its inflated postpetiole and spongiform appendages. It resembles the two closely related species Strumigenys traegaordhi and Strumigenys mesahyla but, apart from the mandibular character quoted in the key, may be separated from both by its long scapes and form of the postpetiole and its appendages.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa.

Nomenclature

 *  havilandi. Strumigenys havilandi Forel, 1905c: 13 (footnote) (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA. See also: Brown, 1954k: 25; Bolton, 1983: 373; Bolton, 2000: 592.

Worker
Bolton (1983) - TL 2.5-2.6, HL 0.62-0.68, HW 0.44-0.50, CI 69-74, ML 0.28-0.33, MI 45-50, SL 0.36-0.40, SI 80-90, PW 0.28-0.32, AL 0·62-0.68 (13 measured).

Mandibles in full-face view slender and almost straight, broadest basally and evenly tapering towards the apex. Apical fork of each mandible with 2 spiniform teeth, without intercalary teeth or denticles. Each mandibular blade with 2 spiniform preapical teeth, the distal only slightly shorter than the proximal and the distance separating their bases distinctly less than the length of the distal preapical tooth. Eyes small, with only 4-5 ommatidia, their maximum diameter much less than the maximum width of the scape. Preocular notch absent, the ventral surface of the head without a transverse preocular groove or impression. Antennal scapes elongate and relatively narrow, SI 80-90, matched only by korahyla in the arnoldi-complex. The scapes only shallowly and very gently curved, slightly expanded beyond the curve and with their leading edges having an apically directed row of narrow spoon-shaped hairs which are about the same size as those fringing the upper scrobe margins. Ground-pilosity of cephalic dorsum of numerous but inconspicuous narrowly spoon-shaped hairs, the upper scrobe margins fringed by a row of hairs which are the same as those on the dorsum of the head. Occipital margin dorsally with a transverse row of 4 short curved standing hairs and a pair of similar but even shorter hairs situated anterior to this row. Dorsum of head reticulate-punctate. Pronotal humeri each with a single fine flagellate hair. In this species the hair appears to be very delicate and easily lost by abrasion. Mesonotum with a single pair of standing hairs. Ground-pilosity of dorsal alitrunk of numerous small curved spatulate to spoon-shaped hairs similar to those on the head but slightly smaller. Metanotal groove a transverse line across the dorsum, weakly impressed in profile. Propodeal teeth slender and triangular, subtended by a broad infradental lamella on each side. Sides of alitrunk smooth,. with only peripheral punctation present. Pronotal dorsum finely superficially longitudinally rugulose, the rugulae low and inconspicuous, frequently with faint punctures between them. Remainder of dorsal alitrunk finely reticulate-punctate. Petiole node reticulate-punctate dorsally, the postpetiole smooth. Postpetiole distinctly swollen and inflated, subglobular. Spongiform appendages of petiole consisting of a fairly broad ventral strip and a narrow posterior collar. Postpetiole in profile with the lateral lobe much reduced, obviously smaller than the ventral spongiform lobe, and the latter itself relatively small, smaller than the exposed area of the postpetiolar disc in profile. Basigastral costulae short but distinct. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with standing short hairs which are expanded apically. Colour yellow.

Type Material
Syntype workers, SOUTH AFRICA: Natal, 5300 ft (1615 m) (Haviland) [examined].