Key to North American Genera of Dolichoderinae

This key to the genera of North American Dolichoderinae has been adapted from Fisher & Cover (2007).

1

 * Propodeum (lateral view) strongly hollowed out behind, forming a shelf that overhangs the petiole, the node of which fits snugly into this concavity. Propodeum rounded at juncture of dorsal and declivitous face. Propodeum often strongly sculptured, with large, shallow punctures (A). Eastern and midwestern North America => Dolichoderus
 * Propodeum (lateral view) usually not concave (AA). If posterior face is concave in side view, then propodeum is angulate at juncture of dorsal and declivitous faces, not forming an overhanging shelf as described above (Ochetellus glaber) (AAA). Propodeum never strongly sculptured => 2

2

 * Propodeal angle (lateral view) with a distinct dorsally projecting cone or tooth at juncture of dorsal and posterior faces (A). Maxillary palp segment 3 elongated, about equal to combined lengths of segments 4 through 6 (B) => Dorymyrmex
 * Propodeum without a dorsally projecting cone or tooth (AA). Segment 3 of maxillary palp short, about as long as segment 4 (BB) => 3

3

 * Mesosoma dorsum (lateral view) without erect hairs (A) => 4
 * Mesosoma dorsum with erect hairs (AA) (most easily seen against a dark background) => 6

4

 * In side view, propodeum with a weakly concave posterior face that meets the dorsal face at a distinct angle (A). Florida => Ochetellus
 * Propodeum rounded at juncture of dorsal and posterior faces (AA) => 5

5

 * Petiolar scale well developed (A). First two antennal segments beyond scape equal in length (B). In side view, propodeum rounded with dorsal and posterior face approximately equal in length (C) => Linepithema
 * Petiole flattened, without a conspicuous, dorsally protruding scale (petiole often concealed by the succeeding abdominal segment) (AA). First antennal segment beyond scape about twice as long as second (BB). In side view, dorsal face of propodeum much shorter than posterior face (CC) => Tapinoma

6

 * Head, body, legs except tarsi dark brown-black, tarsi contrastingly pale; sides of mesosoma conspicuously microreticulate (A) => Technomyrmex
 * If blackish, tarsi not contrastingly pale; sides of mesosoma not conspicuously sculptured (AA) => 7

7

 * Clypeal margin more or less straight (A); setae of anterior margin of clypeus short and straight, ending far short of the anterior margin of closed mandibles (A). Workers somewhat polymorphic. Metanotal groove reduced to thin suture across dorsum that does not clearly interrupt mesosomal profile (B). Western North America => Liometopum
 * Clypeal margin convex (AA); anterior clypeal margin with several conspicuously curved setae that extend to or beyond anterior margin of closed mandibles (AA). Workers monomorphic. Profile of mesosoma interrupted by metanotal groove, clearly dividing mesonotum from propodeum (BB). Widespread, especially in southern North America => Forelius