Epopostruma wardi

Habitats where this species has been encountered include dry sclerophyll, heavy swampy sclerophyll, wet sclerophyll on a steep slope with grassland and gums, wet sclerophyll on a steep slope and a plateau. Collections situations include leaf litter, in a lump of mossy soil at base of a eucalypt, at honey bait on scribbly gum, foraging on Angophora 10 feet above the ground and under rocks. It is known to lie motionless when disturbed.

Identification
Epopostruma wardi can be recognised by the distinctive head shape and the bispinose lateral postpetiolar margins together with having the area immediately above the eye rounded and the the posterolateral margin of postpetiole (immediately anterior of the gaster) flat to weakly concave rather than strongly concave.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  wardi. Epopostruma wardi Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 61, figs. 63, 75, 82, 83 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
Area immediately above the eye angular. Pronotal spines present, long. Posterior section of metanotum and dorsal surface of the propodeum forming a continuous surface. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with very narrow flanges with start below the bases of the spines. Petiolar spines present, long. Anterior face of postpetiole similar in length to the dorsal face, the two faces joined by a broad convexity; sides of postpetiole expanded laterally in the form of distinct sharp teeth or spines; their lateral margins strongly concave; posterolateral margin (immediately anterior of gaster) flat to weakly concave. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with numerous long, erect hairs, the majority bend near their tips. First gastral tergite smooth, the area immediately behind attachment with gaster with very short rugae. Body colour yellow-red, head, appendages and gaster sometimes slightly lighter, dorsum of head sometimes with a small infuscated spot.

Measurements

Holotype worker. TL 5.1, HL 1.24, HW 1.33, CI 107, MandL 0.56, MandI 45, SL 0.66, SI 50, PronW 0.74, ML 1.25.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65