Stenamma punctatoventre

There is little known about the biology of this species. The type specimens were collected under a decayed limb in litter. Additional collections have been made in conifer forest, mixed forest, and riparian woodlands. Workers have typically been captured in leaf litter, under stones, or as single stray foragers.

Identification
Eyes of worker with 4-6 facets in greatest diameter and separated from mandibular insertions by 1.3-1.8 x EL; first gastric sternite and tergite both closely punctulate in part; cephalic rugulae fine, largely effaced by dense punctulation; mesopleura densely and coarsely punctate, rugulae obscure when present. Workers are medium ferruginous, but variable, usually with the cephalic dorsum being conspicuously darker and the apex of the gastric segments yellowish.

Snelling 1973

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

Range
USA. Known from California and Washington state.

Nomenclature

 *  punctatoventre. Stenamma punctatoventre Snelling, R.R. 1973c: 10, figs. 12, 13, 20, 21, 55 (w.q.m.) U.S.A.

Type Material
Holotype and 15 paratype workers: Todd's Creek, about 5 mi W. Foresthill, Placer Co., CALIF., elev. ca. 1900', 24 June 1962 (R. R. Snelling), under decayed limb in litter. Allotype male and one male, four female, nine worker paratypes: Dodge Ridge, 6000', Tuolumne Co., CALIF., 6 Sept. 1967 (G. C. and J. N. Wheeler, #182). Holotype, allotype, two female and 14 worker paratypes in LACM; one male, one female, three worker paratypes in GCW; one female, three worker paratypes in MCZ; one paratype each in AMNH, USNM, ACC, WSC.

Type Locality Information
Todd's Creek, Placer Co, California.

Etymology
Morphological. Combining form of punctum (dot or point) plus venter (belly), in allusion to the punctate first sternite.

Additional References

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