Key to Notoncus Species

The following key to species of Notoncus is based on Brown (1955 ) and Taylor (1992 ).

1

 * Scutellum enlarged and projecting dorsally as a rounded or oval process, or as an erect scale or tooth, from the region between the mesonotum and propodeum; humeri strongly developed and angulate => 2




 * Scutcllum absent, or at best not sharply differentiated and not forming any kind of prominent process projecting dorsad (in some workers of N.hickmani, the metanotal spiracles may be connected by a low ridge); humeri rounded, not projecting to any marked extent => 3



2

 * Scutellum in the form of a slender, erect process, the apex of which may be in the form of a chisel point, an emarginate chisel point, a Y, a thick, pointed tooth, or some intermediate shape => Notoncus ectatommoides




 * Scutellum in the form of a thick, rounded tumulus or oval process => 4



3

 * Large, slender species with long appendages, the antennal scapes much longer than (usually at least 1.2x) the length of the head proper, including clypeus => Notoncus spinisquamis




 * Smaller, more robust species, the antennal scapes rarely, if ever, longer than the head proper, including clypeus, and usually shorter => Notoncus hickmani



4

 * Propodeum at most very finely and superficially sculptured, essentially smooth and shiny; dorsum of gaster with only extremely sparse punctulation and appressed pubescence; mandibles very finely striate over most of dorsal surfaces (less so near insertions) => Notoncus gilberti




 * Propodeum distinctly, widely and rather coarsely striate, and largely subopaque throughout; dorsum of gaster generally densely punctulate (weakly so in some individuals) and with dense appressed pubescence; mandibles largely smooth and shining above, with coarse punctures => 5



5

 * Smaller species, maximum head width less than 1.6 mm; appressed pubescence present on all body tagmata, almost as thick on propodeum as on gaster, with density otherwise diminishing cephalad; head and mesosoma relatively finely sculptured, individual cephalic striae narrower than the diameter of an eye facet; propodeum rounded => Notoncus capitatus




 * Larger species, maximum head width exceeding 1.9 mm; appressed pubescence almost entirely restricted to gaster; head and mesosoma much more coarsely sculptured, individual cephalic striae clearly wider than an eye facet; propodeum angular => Notoncus enormis