Eurhopalothrix punctata

Wilson collected two stray workers in rain forest leaf litter. (Brown and Kempf 1960)

Identification
Key to Old World Basicerotini

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Nomenclature

 *  punctata. Rhopalothrix punctata Szabó, 1910a: 366, fig. 3 (w.) NEW GUINEA. Combination in Eurhopalothrix: Brown & Kempf, 1960: 221.

Worker
Brown and Kempf (1960) - TL 1.9-2.1, HL 0.52-0.55, HW 0.57-0.60 (CI 109-110), scape L 0.31-0.32, greatest diameter of eye ca. 0.03 mm, WL 0.52-0.53 mm, 2 workers from different localities measured.

In size and general body form, punctata resembles Eurhopalothrix australis, but it lacks specialized erect hairs except for those fringing the scape borders, a few clavate ones on the gastric apex, and a few short clavate ones on the gastric undersurface. The appressed ground pilosity is also much finer and less conspicuous than in Eurhopalothrix brevicornis and australis, especially on promesonotum, nodes and gastric dorsum, so that the body appears naked at first glance. The vertex bears a shallow impression, and there is no transverse carina on the clypeus. Alitrunk distinctive in form, lacking metanotal groove. Petiolar node subcubic seen from the side, but distinctly broader than long as seen from above, with rounded sides and straight anterior border. Postpetiole reniform, less than twice as broad as petiolar node. Color deep reddish-brown.