Polyrhachis rufifemur

I have found nests of P. rufifemur only occasionally, always inside the cavity of a tree trunk, usually that of a Melaleuca (Kohout 1988).

Identification
Kohout (1988) - The representatives of southern populations are generally smaller, with relatively short propodeal spines and more coppery golden pubescence, which almost obscures the underlying sculpturation. Those of northern populations (and some from southern mountains e.g. McPherson Range, Bunya Mountains) tend to be larger, with distinctly longer propodeal spines. The pubescence is pale brassy and more dilute. This variability applies only to the workers as females vary only in size, and not in the other features discussed above.

Distribution
This species is relatively uncommon, with known records restricted to three widely separated areas, one in central New South Wales and the other two in the southern and northern Queensland (Kohout 1988).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  rufifemur. Polyrhachis terpsichore var. rufifemur Forel, 1907a: 41 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in P. (Hedomyrma): Emery, 1925b: 190. Raised to species and senior synonym of elegans: Kohout, 1988c: 436.
 * elegans. Polyrhachis terpsichore var. elegans Forel, 1910b: 84 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in P. (Hedomyrma): Emery, 1925b: 190. Junior synonym of rufifemur: Kohout, 1988c: 436.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Kohout R. J. 1988. Nomenclatural changes and new Australian records in the ant genus Polyrhachis Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 25: 429-438
 * Kohout R. J. 2000. A review of the distribution of the Polyrhachis and Echinopla ants of the Queensland wet tropics (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 46: 183-209