Strumigenys virgila

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the signeae complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group. See Strumigenys signeae. The intercalary dentition seen in virgila is not known to occur in any other species of the signeae-complex. This, combined with the large lateral spongiform lobe of the petiole and the distribution and form of pilosity, isolate virgila.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Bhutan, India.

Nomenclature

 *  virgila. Strumigenys virgila Bolton, 2000: 832 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.6, HL 0.68, HW 0.45, CI 66, ML 0.25, MI 37, SL 0.33, SI 73, PW 0.28, AL 0.70. Characters of signeae-complex. Mandible relatively short, tapering from base to apex; inner margin without a cuticular crest that extends distally from base. Apex of mandible with an intercalary tooth between apicodorsal and apicoventral teeth and with 1-2 denticles between intercalary tooth and apicoventral tooth; in most specimens there is also a denticle present between the intercalary tooth and the apicodorsal tooth. Apicoscrobal hair stiff; a similar hair present near the occipital posterior corner but margin between these without stiffly projecting hairs. Cephalic dorsum with a transverse row of 4-6 short erect hairs at occipital margin and with a single similar pair just in front of highest point of vertex. Pronotal humeral hair simple and stiff; pronotal dorsum also with a pair of short standing hairs. Mesonotum with a single pair of erect simple hairs. Dorsal surface of hind femur without standing hairs. Entire dorsal alitrunk finely reticulate-punctate; side of alitrunk with pleurae and propodeum smooth. Lamella on propodeal declivity broad and conspicuous, engaging entire length of propodeal tooth and with its posterior (free) margin broadly convex below level of the spiracle. Petiole node in dorsal view longer than broad, feebly partially shagreenate to smooth. In profile lateral spongiform lobe of petiole very large, extending the whole length of the node and terminating at or very close to its anterolateral angle. Disc of postpetiole glassy smooth. First gastral tergite with simple standing hairs.

Paratypes. TL 2.5-2.6, HL 0.63-0.68, HW 0.43-0.46, CI 66-69, ML 0.24-0.26, MI 36-38, SL 0.33-0.34, SI 72-76, PW 0.26-0.28, AL 0.68-0.70 (5 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, India (15): Himachal Pradesh, Shivalik Hills, 6 km. SE Nahan, 800-900 mH., 6.x.1996, no. 515 (A. Schulz & K. Vock). Paratypes. 5 workers with same data as holotype; 3 workers, India (19): Uttar Pradesh, vic. Rajaji N.P., 10 km. SE Dehra Dun, 600-700 mH., 10.x.1996, no. 561 (A. Schulz & K. Vock) (NHMW, ).