Solenopsis lou

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Algeria.

Nomenclature

 *  lou. Solenopsis lou Forel, 1902a: 152 (q.m.) ALGERIA. [Also described as new by Forel, 1903b: 459.] Santschi, 1911f: 81 (w.). Senior synonym of aurata: Karavaiev, 1927b: 108. See also: Karavaiev, 1912a: 12; Sharaf, Taylor & Klingenberg, 2009: 54.
 * aurata. Solenopsis latro subsp. aurata Karavaiev, 1912a: 11, fig. 4 (w.) ALGERIA. Junior synonym of lou: Karavaiev, 1927b: 108.

Worker
Sharaf et al. (2009) - TL 1.50–2.00, HL 0.45–0.55, HW 0.30–0.47, SL 0.27–0.38, PL 0.15–0.22, PW 0.12–0.15, PPL 0.10–0.28, PPW 0.12–0.15, AL 0.48–0.62, EL 0.02–0.05, SI 80–90, CI 67–85 (7 measured).

Eyes with 9 facets, the outer circle of facets enclosing a single relatively large facet. Head with a higher CI, i.e. relatively longer and narrower, than the other species, also with a deeper profile. The head is parallel-sided up to the two-thirds point then narrowing significantly and with broadly rounded posterior corners. Clypeus with a distinctly impressed anterior margin and sharply defined carinae. Frontal lobes close together. Mandibles similar to those on the major worker of cooperi in being quite broad and with strong black teeth. Scapes slender, thickened weakly in the apical one-third, and quite short. Head with a finely sculptured surface and scattered but distinct hair pits. Promesonotum with an unbroken, shallowly convex profile. Metanotal groove deep and sharply margined on the dorsum but interrupted laterally. Basal face of propodeum making a continuous curve with declivity; propodeal spiracle small. Petiole node quite high but thick, with a domed dorsum and a short stout peduncle. Overall with quite abundant, fine, short erect hairs. Colour uniform throughout.

Queen
Sharaf et al. (2009) - TL 5.3–5.6, HL 0.75–0.80, HW 0.70, SL 0.45–0.55, EL 0.25, AL 1.60, SI 64–79, CI 88–93 (2 measured).

Male
Sharaf et al. (2009) - TL 4.40–5.30, HL 0.60–0.70, HW 0.65–0.70, SL 0.25–0.35, EL 0.25–0.30, AL 1.50–2.00, SI 36–50, CI 100–117 (4 measured).

Type Material
Sharaf et al. (2009) - Syntype gyne and male, ALGERIA: Biskra, Hammam Salahin, 12.iv.1896 (Diehl) [examined].