Strumigenys spathula

A wide ranging and fairly common Central American that inhabits wet-forests.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys elongata-group. Closest related to Strumigenys tachirensis within the group, but in that species the gastral hairs are not short and remiform.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  spathula. Strumigenys spathula Lattke & Goitía, 1997: 390, figs. 29, 40, 46 (w.q.) VENEZUELA. See also: Bolton, 2000: 511.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 2.2-2.7, HL 0.62-0.67, HW 0.45-0.50, CI 73-78, ML 0.35-0.40, MI 55-61, SL 0.41-0.48, SI 84-94, PW 0.28-0.33, AL 0.58-0.70 (8 measured). As Strumigenys elongata but differing as follows.

1 Standing hairs on first gastral tergite short stout and strongly remiform, curved posteriorly.

2 Erect hairs on mesonotum long-remiform.

3 Metapleuron entirely reticulate-punctate.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker, VENEZUELA: Edo. Barinas, Res. For. Ticoporo, 17 km. SW Ciudad Bolivia, 8°04'N, 70°48'W, 240 m., 26.viii.1987, #1861-S (J. Longino); paratype workers, VENEZUELA: Edo. Carabobo, cerca Patanemo, 10°25'N, 67°34'W, 150 m., 25.vii.1987 (J. Lattke); Edo. Miranda, Rio Salmeron con Quebrada el Bagre, 24.ii.1980 (J. Lattke) [examined].