Stenamma snellingi

This species is abundant and widespread within its range, tolerating a wide range of conditions. It is typically found in the litter layer in forest habitats.

Smith (1957): Our records show that males as well as male and female pupae are found in the nest at least as early as late August (25-27). Winged females and males have been captured in flight at Lake Louise near Steilacoom, Washington, on September 21. Other winged females and males have been collected as late as October (29-31), but the conditions under which they were taken are not known; therefore it cannot be definitely said whether these sexed forms were produced during the current year or the year preceding. The species has been collected at altitudes ranging from 700 feet to as high as 9,000 feet. All known colonies are from the soil beneath rocks.

Identification
This species is highly variable and is closely related to Stenamma diecki. It can be difficult to identify specimens of this species even with a number of specimens from a single nest. A treatment of the key morphological distinctions between these Stenamma snellingi and Stenamma diecki is found in the species account for Stenamma diecki.

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

Range
Canada, USA. Western coastal region (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Baja California) and Arizona. Until a revision is completed to clearly separate diecki from snellingi, it will be difficult to understand how far east (further into the Rocky Mountains and beyond) this species occurs.

Nomenclature

 * occidentale. Stenamma occidentale Smith, M.R. 1957b: 146, pl. 2, fig. 7 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. [Junior primary homonym of occidentale Emery, 1895c: 301, above.] Replacement name: snellingi Bolton, 1995b: 394.
 *  snellingi. Stenamma snellingi Bolton, 1995b: 394. Replacement name for occidentale Smith, M.R. 1957b: 146. [Junior primary homonym of occidentale Emery, 1895c: 301.]

Type Material
Described from a holotype and 53 paratype workers and 14 paratype males, all of which have been deposited in the U. S. National Museum under No. 62394.

Type Locality Information
Rustlers Park, Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona.

Etymology
Patronym. Bolton, discovering the name occidentalis was invalid, assigned this name in homage to Roy Snelling.

Additional References

 * Snelling, R. R. 1973. Studies on California ants. 7. The genus Stenamma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Contributions in Science (Los Angeles). 245:1-38.