Solenopsis electra

Little is known about the biology of .

Identification
Pitts et. al. (2018) - The gyne of S. electra is similar to Solenopsis pusillignis, Solenopsis saevissima, and Solenopsis macdonaghi in coloration and in the lack of mesonotal maculae. The gyne of this species has a thinner petiolar node, a smaller OOI, and a smaller body size than those of S. saevissima and S. macdonaghi. The gynes of S. electra differ from the gynes of the sister species, S. pusillignis, by having a smaller OI, a more developed median clypeal tooth, and a darker coloration of the gaster.

The northern populations of S. electra have much larger workers than the southern populations, but the gynes of these populations remain unchanged in size. Males were not available for examination for this study, but Trager (1991) describes them as being relatively small compared to males of the rest of the species-group.

Distribution
Pitts et. al. (2018) - The currently known range of S. electra extends northward from Santiago del Estero Province of Argentina to Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Trager (1991) lists a sample examined from Asuncion, Paraguay. Sampling efforts between the known range and Asuncion, Paraguay have not produced any specimens of S. electra, so this record may represent an introduction.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay.

Nomenclature

 *  electra. Solenopsis pylades r. electra Forel, 1914d: 275 (w.) ARGENTINA. Creighton, 1930b: 93 (q.). Subspecies of geminata: Wheeler, W.M. 1915b: 397; of saevissima: Santschi, 1923c: 266; Santschi, 1929d: 299; Creighton, 1930b: 92. Junior synonym of saevissima: Wilson, 1952b: 55. Revived from synonymy and raised to species: Trager, 1991: 192.

Pitts et. al. (2018):

Worker
Head subovate. Head sculpture with small piligerous foveolae, <0.01 mm in diameter. Median frontal streak absent. Median ocellus in largest major workers present. Mandibular costulae well developed throughout entire length. In lateral view, pronotum low and nearly flat to weakly convex. Mesonotum with 20–25 setae. Promesonotal suture in largest major workers gently curved medially, never projecting upward. Mesonotum weakly convex in lateral view. Propodeum sculpture granulate posteroventral to spiracle. Postpetiole shape as high as or higher than broad. Postpetiole sculpture in posterior view with lower 0.66 transversely rugose, granulate, upper surface glabrous and shiny. Color of head, legs, antennae generally red yellow. Mesosoma and gaster dark brown. T1 yellow anteriorly. Mandibles brown. Some specimens darker brown black, with appendages slightly lighter.

Queen
Head. Slightly broader to as broad as long, quadrate, sides of head convex from eyes to occipital angles, straight anterior to eyes. Eye sometimes with 2–4 long setae protruding from between ommatidia, setal length >4X width of ommatidium. Ocelli large, prominent. Median ocellus circular, lateral ocelli slightly ovate. Ocelli in more anterior position on head. Clypeus projecting, carinal teeth stout and sharp, carinae well defined, prominent between antennal scrobes, slightly divergent ventrally. Paracarinal teeth small, indistinct to absent. Median clypeal tooth well developed. Approximately 0.50 of eye basal to midlength of head.

Mesosoma. Parapsidal lines present on posterior half of disk. Mesonotum without posteromedian furrow. Metasternum with bidentate median process. Wing venation as in Figure.

Metasoma. Lateral faces of postpetiole weakly concave. Petiolar spiracle normally not tuberculate. Postpetiolar spiracles normally tuberculate. Coloration, Sculpturing, and Pilosity. Piligerous foveolae small, sparse, width <0.01 mm in diameter, larger on head than on thorax and abdomen. Pubescence simple, golden and erect, longer and denser on head than elsewhere, longest on anterior edge of clypeus. Mesonotum pubescence 0.16–0.25 mm, longest pubescence on mesonotum 2X longer than shortest pubescence. Mandible with 5–8 coarse, distinct costulae present throughout entire length. Propodeum with fine striae throughout. Petiolar node basal 0.75 with striate, dorsum polished. Postpetiolar node basal 0.50 with fine striae, dorsum polished. Remaining integument smooth and polished. Color yellow with gaster red brown. T1 with basal 0.50 yellow, remaining segments yellow anterolaterally. Internal margins of ocelli dark brown.

L ~6.2–6.5, HW 1.15–1.28, VW 1.09–1.15, HL 1.20–1.30, EL 0.36–0.44, OD 0.15–0.21, OOD 0.09–0.12, LOW 0.10–0.15, MOW 0.10–0.16, CD 0.15–0.19, MFC 0.18–0.21, EW 0.25–0.34, SL 0.78–0.91, PDL 0.14–0.19, LF1 0.07–0.11, LF2 0.05–0.10, LF3 0.07–0.10, WF1 0.04–0.07, FL 0.92–1.05, FW 0.21–0.29, MW 1.21–1.33, DLM 2.15–2.31, PRH 0.88–1.04, PL 0.56–0.68, PND 0.45–0.56, PH 0.55–0.64, PPL 0.31–0.36, DPW 0.50–0.68, PPW 0.56–0.64, PHB 0.32–0.45, N=2.

Type Material
Syntype workers. Argentina. Salta. Jujuy. XI-913 (=1913). Schuer. #129..