Neoponera theresiae

Workers forage in the low arboreal zone (Longino 1997). Longino collected a worker at the extrafloral nectaries of Passiflora [Passifloraceae].

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): Neoponera theresiae is similar to Neoponera villosa and Neoponera foetida, but can be easily distinguished by its smaller size (total length of both of the latter species > 10 mm). Neoponera theresiae could be easily confused with Neoponera bugabensis, it can be separated by the horizontal striae on the side the petiole, which are lacking in N. bugabensis.

Distribution
COSTA RICA, PANAMA, PERU, BRASIL (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru.

Habitat
Longino (1997) found this species in wet forest habitats.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  theresiae. Pachycondyla theresiae Forel, 1899c: 13, pl. 1, fig. 11 (w.) PANAMA. Combination in Neoponera: Emery, 1901a: 47; in Pachycondyla: Brown, in Bolton, 1995b: 310; in Neoponera: Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014: 152. See also: Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 549.

Worker
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): The worker is a moderately large (total length about 10 mm) dark reddish black ant with reddish brown mandibles and dark brown appendages. The anterior margin of the clypeus is broadly rounded, the eyes are located somewhat posteriorly on the head at a distance of about one diameter from the anterior edge of the head (side view) and the malar carina is well developed. The scape extends slightly more than the first funicular segment past the posterior lateral corner. The pronotal carina is well developed and sharp, the mesosoma is slightly depressed at the metanotal suture, which breaks the sculpturing on the dorsum. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped. The anterior face of the petiole is nearly vertical and joins the rounded posterior face at a right angle.

Most surfaces, including the dorsum of the head, mesosoma, petiole and all surfaces of the gaster are covered with erect hairs, as are most of the parts of the legs. Appressed golden pubescence is abundant on the dorsum of the head, the mesosoma and the dorsum of the gaster.

The mandibles are finely and longitudinally striate with the apex and the parts near the teeth being smooth and glossy. The head is completely dull and finely punctate, the mesosoma is punctate, but the pronotum (both the top and the side) as well as other parts of the side of the mesosoma are weakly shining. The side of the petiole has distinct horizontal striae, as does the lower half of the front face of the petiole, as well as the lower half of the back the petiole. The gaster is finely punctate and moderately shining.

Type Material
Panamá, Bugaba, Volcán de Chiriquí. Lectotype and 1 paralectotype designated,, one “paratype” seen, (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Etymology
This species was named in honor of princess Thérèse de Bavière, Abbesses of Saint Anne de Munich (1850 - 1925). The specimens were collected by Champion. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bezdeckova K., P. Bedecka, and I. Machar. 2015. A checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Peru. Zootaxa 4020 (1): 101–133.
 * Emery C. 1911. Hymenoptera. Fam. Formicidae. Subfam. Ponerinae. Genera Insectorum 118: 1-125.
 * Escalante Gutiérrez J. A. 1993. Especies de hormigas conocidas del Perú (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Revista Peruana de Entomología 34:1-13.
 * Fernandes I. O., M. L. de Oliveira, and J. H. C. Delabie. 2014. Description of two new sepcies in the Neotropical Pachycondyla foetida complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae) and taxonomic notes on the genus. Myrmecological News 19: 133-163.
 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
 * INBio Collection (via Gbif)
 * Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
 * Longino J. T. L., and M. G. Branstetter. 2018. The truncated bell: an enigmatic but pervasive elevational diversity pattern in Middle American ants. Ecography 41: 1-12.
 * Longino J. et al. ADMAC project. Accessed on March 24th 2017 at https://sites.google.com/site/admacsite/