Strumigenys heteropha

Tang et al. (2019) found this species in Hong Kong in several closed-canopy habitats including tree plantations of Lophostemon confertus Wilson & Waterh., secondary forests and Feng Shui woods with an elevation range from 106 to 367 m.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the caniophanes complex in the Strumigenys caniophanes-group. One of four species in this group to lack preapical dentition, heteropha is separated from the other three (Strumigenys caniophanes, Strumigenys cygarix, Strumigenys dromica) by having the katepisternum smooth; in the others the side of the alitrunk is uniformly sculptured. Also heteropha lacks sulcate sculpture on the lateral alitrunk and lacks dense pubescence on the gaster and elsewhere. A related species, Strumigenys lacunosa, is known from Taiwan. Lin & Wu (1996) point out that the preapical dentition may be small in some samples of this species. It is probable that lacunosa will be found in China, or conversely that heteropha may be discovered in Taiwan. Disregarding the preapical dentition individuals of lacunosa can always be distinguished from heteropha as the former does not have punctate sculpture on the metapleuron and side of the propodeum and has propodeal teeth that are short, broad-based triangular in profile; in dorsal view the lateral spongiform lobes of the petiole in lacunosa extend as far forward as the anterior face of the node and the promesonotal dorsum does not have obvious rugulose sculpture.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  heteropha. Strumigenys heteropha Bolton, 2000: 758 (w.) CHINA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.2, HL 0.81, HW 0.62, CI 77, ML 0.40, MI 49, SL 0.44, SI 71, PW 0.36, AL 0.88. Mandible in full-face view without preapical dentition, though in oblique dorsolateral view a minute inconspicuous tumulus or cuticular prominence can be seen on the dorsal inner margin close to the apex. Dorsolateral margin of head in full-face view with 3 freely laterally projecting fine flagellate hairs: one just posterior to the level of the eye, one in apicoscrobal position and one close to the occipital corner. Cephalic dorsum with a pair of standing hairs at highest point of vertex and a transverse row across occipital margin. Dorsum of head finely densely reticulate-rugulose, the reticulae small and low, filled with dense reticulate-punctate sculpture. Dorsal alitrunk irregularly finely rugulose and punctulate. Katepisternum smooth, remainder of pleuron and side of propodeum finely punctate. Pronotal humeral hair long and flagellate. Dorsal alitrunk with fine erect sub flagellate to flagellate hairs and fine simple ground-pilosity. Waist segments and first gastral tergite with fine flagellate hairs. Dorsal and lateral surfaces of femora and tibiae with sparse erect flagellate hairs; ventral surface of femora with a few similar hairs and dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind basitarsi with one or two much longer flagellate hairs. Propodeal teeth small and narrowly triangular. Petiole node in dorsal view longer than broad; disc of postpetiole scarcely broader than petiole node; both with dense reticulate-punctulate sculpture and a few superimposed small longitudinal rugulae. Lateral spongiform lobes of petiole in dorsal view terminate well posterior of the anterior slope of the node. Petiole in profile subclavate, node without an anterior face that is differentiated from the peduncle, instead the two forming a single uninterrupted surface.

Type Material
Holotype worker, China: Hong Kong, E Central New Territories, Shan Liu, 31.x.1996 (J. R. Fellowes).