Aphaenogaster subterranea

This species is common and widespread in central and southern Italy. It is a ground-nesting ant chiefly inhabiting deciduous forests (Rigato & Toni, 2011).

Identification
A member of the Aphaenogaster subterranea-group. Key to European Aphaenogaster workers.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Balearic Islands, Belgium, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Georgia, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Nomenclature

 *  subterranea. Formica subterranea Latreille, 1798: 49 (w.q.m.) FRANCE. Latreille, 1802a: 220 (q.m.); Hauschteck, 1962: 219 (k.). Combination in Manica: Jurine, 1807: 279; in Atta: Mayr, 1855: 460; in Myrmica: Nylander, 1856b: 85; in Aphaenogaster: Roger, 1863b: 29; in Stenamma (Aphaenogaster): Emery, 1895c: 301; in Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma): Emery, 1915d: 70. See also: Emery, 1908c: 326; Stitz, 1939: 113; Bernard, 1967: 134; Kutter, 1977c: 80; Atanassov & Dlussky, 1992: 111. Current subspecies: nominal plus ichnusa, valida.

Additional References

 * Rigato, F.; Toni, I. 2011. Short notes 21. Hymenoptera, Formicidae. Pp. 873-882 in: Nardi, G.; Whitmore, D.; Bardiani, M.; Birtele, D.; Mason, F.; Spada, L.; Cerretti, P. (eds.) 2011. Biodiversity of Marganai and Montimannu (Sardinia). Research in the framework of the ICP Forests network. Conservazione Habitat Invertebrati, 5. Sommacampagna, Verona: Cierre Edizioni, 896 pp.
 * Tausan, I., Bota, O.T., Stefu, A.-A. & Crava, A.-V. 2011. Aphaenogaster subterranea (Latreille, 1798) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Romania: New records, distribution and habitat preferences. Brukenthal. Acta Musei, VI. 3, 459-464.