Myrmecia tarsata

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Castes
McAreavey (1948) and Clark (1951, p. 28-31) described dimorphic flightless queens: ergatoid (permanently wingless) and brachypterous (short, non-functional wings).

Brachypterous queens generally retain unfused flight sclerites in the thorax. The short wings are often broken within hours of emergence, wing bases are left attached and this gives the impression of a queen capable of flying.



Nomenclature

 *  tarsata. Myrmecia tarsata Smith, F. 1858b: 145 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Roger, 1861a: 33 (q.); Clark, 1951: 30 (m.). See also: Crawley, 1926: 379; Clark, 1927: 34; Clark, 1951: 28.

Type Material


Holotype worker in. Labelled “N.H. Hunter R. 44/105” and with a det. label “tarsata Type Smith.” Specimen is very large, with swollen gaster.