Lophomyrmex quadrispinosus

Bolton (pers. comm.) found this species rather abundant in Sri Lanka, where it was foraging on the ground in coconut plantations. It is also easily collected by means of sugar bait. (Rigato 1994)

Identification
A member of the Lophomymrex quadrispinosus group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Sri Lanka. Palaearctic Region: China, Israel.

Nomenclature

 *  quadrispinosus. Oecodoma quadrispinosa Jerdon, 1851: 111 (w.) INDIA. Rigato, 1994a: 59 (q.m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1954a: 131 (l.). Combination in Pheidole: Smith, F. 1858b: 174; in Lophomyrmex: Emery, 1892a: 114. Senior synonym of taprobanae: Rigato, 1994a: 59. See also: Bingham, 1903: 195.
 * taprobanae. Lophomyrmex quadrispinosus var. taprobanae Forel, 1911i: 223 (w.q.m.) SRI LANKA. Raised to species: Ettershank, 1966: 134. Junior synonym of quadrispinosus: Rigato, 1994a: 59.

Worker
Rigato (1994) - TL 2.5-3.5, HL 0.67-0.88, HW 0.60-0.84, CI 89-99, SL 0.55-0.69, SI 75-84. PW 0.40-0.60, AL 0.72-1.03, SpL 0.16-0.26, HTL 0.55-0.75, TI 83-94 (93 measured).

With the characters given in the key and the following: Mesonotum in profile with a well-developed prominence and with a clear posterior step, sometimes ridged. Metanotal groove distinctly notched in profile. Propodeal spines in profile slightly bent downward and gradually tapering toward the apex. Petiolar node in profile usually briefly obliquely truncate or subtruncate.

Clypeus sublucid, except for its posteriormost median portion which is shining. Frontal triangle sublucid. Head strongly shining, with very feeble ground sculpture. Genae and frontal lobes more or less longitudinally rugulose. Rarely large specimens with head finely and irregularly longitudinally rugulose and sublucid. Anterior pronotal slope appearing transversely rugulose in dorsal view; the rugulae are stronger at the sides and often fade out at the midline. Pronotal dorsum, between the teeth, faintly reticulate and quite shining. Pronotal sides shining. Mesopleurae and propodeum, except the declivity, reticulate and opaque; mesonotum less distinctly sculptured. Petiole and postpetiole reticulate. Gaster glassy smooth, shining. Colour bright brownish yellow, cephalic dorsum usually darker, gaster often wholly infuscated, sometimes dark brown.

Queen
Rigato (1994) - TL approximately 9.5. Propodeal spines strong, short and with blunt apices. Petiolar node in profile triangular, with a rounded summit. Rather opaque throughout, with the exception of a central clypeal strip, frontal triangle and mesopleuron which are quite shining. Head with a strong ground reticulation and superimposed longitudinal rugulae more developed on the genae and frons. Scutum densely punctured and reticulate, subopaque with a sublucid midline. Axillae finely reticulate and opaque. Scutellum sublucid. Metanotum and propodeum, excluding the declivity, opaque. Petiole and postpetiole finely reticulate. Gaster densely and finely punctured, sublucid.

Colour dark brown. Wings uniformly moderately infuscated.

Male
Rigato (1994) - TL 6.3-6.5. Very similar to the female in sculpture, pilosity, pubescence, and colour.

Mandibles not serrated. Propodeal teeth very short. Petiolar node in profile thick and low. Rugulae on the head rare. Scutum sublucid, finely punctured. Gaster quite shining.

Type Material
Rigato (1994) - Syntype workers, India [probably lost].