Strumigenys monstra

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the cordovensis complex in the Strumigenys mandibularis-group. This long-mandibulate species is the most densely hairy in the cordovensis-complex. Not only do the head and alitrunk have more stiff standing hairs than is usual, but the first gastral tergite has long fine hairs arising all over its surface rather than being restricted to the basal third or so of the sclerite. This last is also seen in Strumigenys sublonga but here the mandibles are much shorter, the head has fewer standing hairs and the basigastral costulae are much longer.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia.

Nomenclature

 *  monstra. Strumigenys monstra Bolton, 2000: 536 (w.) COLOMBIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.4, HL 0.76, HW 0.57, CI 75, ML 0.96, MI 126, SL 0.64, SI 112, PW 0.36, AL 0.74. Characters of cordovensis-complex. Distal preapical tooth very long and narrowly spiniform, much closer to apicodorsal tooth than to proximal preapical tooth. With mandible in profile distal preapical tooth strongly elevated; mandible distinctly upcurved from close to midlength to level of distal preapical tooth, thereafter flexed weakly downward to the apical fork. Standing hairs on head and alitrunk stiff, simple or narrowly remiform apically: two on dorsolateral margin of head, the first just behind level of eye and the second apicoscrobal; two pairs on vertex, one at about highest point, the other close to occipital margin; one at pronotal humerus; a pair on mesonotum. Petiole, postpetiole and entire surface of first gastral tergite with fine curved filiform to subflagellate hairs. Bullae of femoral glands longer than broad but not streak-like, located at or proximal of the dorsal midlength on the middle and hind femora. Propodeal lamella with a minute upper lobe and larger triangular lower lobe. Lateral spongiform lobe of petiole small, not extended forward on side to level of anterior face of node. Petiole node reticulate-punctate, about as long as broad in dorsal view. Disc of postpetiole medially with longitudinal costulae on anterior third; toward sides of disc the costulae longer. Basigastral costulae sharply defined but very short, no longer than width of posterior spongiform collar of postpetiole.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Colombia: Putumayo, Villa Garzon, 25.vii.1977 (D. Jackson).