Myrmopytia

Supermodel Carpenter Ants

Diagnosis. Emery (1925). - "Worker. Caste dimorphism weak. Head elongate, narrowed as or curve or in ogive (missile-shape) posterior to eyes, or in minors, head extended as small collar. Clypeus subcarinate, produced anteriorly as short, truncate lobe. Mandibles slightly curved, with 6 teeth. Mesosoma very long and narrow; dorsum rounded; meso-metanotum very long, narrow, descending in a straight line to propodeum; propodeum forming high rounded bump. No vestige of sutures between mesonotum, metanotum, and propodeum; metanotal spiracles situated dorsally and prominent in profile view. Petiolar scale thick. Limbs very long. Queen and male. - Unknown.

Geographical distribution of the species. - The only known species lives in Madagascar.

Note: The shape of the head and mesosoma of C. imitator, Forel, is characteristic; it calls to mind those of C. (Myrmosaulus) camelinus and singularis, but much exaggerated, and rather reminiscent of Prenolepis melanogaster, Emery. Perhaps this species should be excluded from the genus Camponotus. Forel points out the striking mimicry of C. imitator with Aphaenogaster (Deromyrma) swammerdami, Forel (hence the specific epithet). For the reports of C. imitator with shellac[!], see Forel, in Grandidier, ''Hist. Nat. Madagascar'', Vol. 20 (2), p. 210-218 (1891)."

(Translated and edited by B. E. Boudinot, 19 February 2017.)

Myrmopytia is currently a subgenus of Camponotus.

Nomenclature

 *  MYRMOPYTIA [subgenus of Camponotus]
 * Myrmopytia Emery, 1920b: 243 [as subgenus of Camponotus]. Type-species: Camponotus imitator, by original designation.