Messor ruginodis

Bolton (1982) - Apart from the very distinctive Messor regalis this is the only other species of Messor recorded from the Congo. It is possible to decide from Stitz's description that ruginodis is related to Messor capensis and its allies, but further placement cannot be attempted without the types as the description alone is not good enough. It must suffice for the present to state that, apart from regalis, no Messor species is known to extend its range into the Congo, so ruginodis remains an enigma. As the species, whatever it really is, is definitely not closely related to barbarus, I have raised it to species-level here.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Congo.

Nomenclature

 *  ruginodis. Messor barbarus r. ruginodis Stitz, 1916: 374, fig. 1 (w.) CONGO. Raised to species, nomen dubium: Bolton, 1982: 353.