Aphaenogaster balcanicoides

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
A member of the A. testaceopilosa group. Workers. A unique character are the scattered short setae on the mesopleura. In other species this setosity is limited to some short setae against the metapleura. The setosity of A. balcanicoides is shorter compared with that of Aphaenogaster balcanica. Differing from Aphaenogaster melitensis by the mean SPL/SPD-index (q.v.) (p < 0.01). The RPH is lower than in A. balcanica (p < 0.04) and A. melitensis (p < 0.01). The PSI is higher in Aphaenogaster karpathica (p < 0.05) and A. balcanicoides (p < 0.01) and the PPPI is lower (p < 0.05) than in A. karpathica. Gyne and male unknown. (Boer 2013)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Greece.

Nomenclature

 * . Aphaenogaster balcanicoides Boer, 2013: 68, figs. 11, 34, 35 (w.) GREECE (Crete I.).
 * Status as species: Borowiec, L. 2014: 9; Lebas, et al. 2016: 250; Salata & Borowiec, 2018c: 42.

Worker
Dorsal side of pronotum and propodeum with distinct rugulae (often transverse) or pronotum scabriculous. Distal end of propodeum, between and under the propodeal spines weakly punctate, in general with longitudinal or transverse rugulae. Dorsal side of gaster satin. Petioles satin to sometimes glossy. Setosity on average relatively short and setosity on petioles relatively dense. Mesopleura with scattered, very short, setae. Lateral shape of petiole with rounded top.

Measurements (n = 9). CI 75–79 (77); CL 1.48–1.68 (1.55) mm; CW 1.14–1.32 (1.20) mm; PHI 31–36 (33); PI 76–86 (81); PPPI 47–59 (51); PSI 170–200 (184); PSLWI 106–133 (121); PWI 21–27 (23); RPH 112–150 (126); RPSI 44–67 (55); SI 142–156 (149); SI/CI 173–208 (192); SL 1.70–1.93 (1.79) mm; SPD 1–2 (1.1); 2–5 (3.0).

Type Material
Holotype: worker, Greece: Crete: K[h]alives, ix.1990 (Collingwood,WML). Paratypes: Same label data as holotype (7 workers WML and 1 worker ).

Etymology
The name refers to the similarity with Aphaenogaster balcanica.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Boer P. 2013. Revision of the European ants of the Aphaenogaster testaceopilosa-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 156: 57-93.
 * Borowiec L. 2014. Catalogue of ants of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Genus (Wroclaw) 25(1-2): 1-340.
 * Salata S., and L. Borowiec. 2018. Taxonomic and faunistic notes on Greek ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Annals of the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom Entomology 27: 1-51.