Strumigenys belua

Identification
Bolton (2000) - Immediately identified among the members of the smythiesii-complex by its dorsally smooth and dorsolaterally laminate propodeum, longitudinally carinate mesonotum and small eyes. See also notes under Strumigenys friedae.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  belua. Strumigenys belua Bolton, 2000: 956, figs. 520, 543 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.3, HL 0.57, HW 0.39, CI 68, ML 0.24, MI 42, SL 0.35, SI 90, PW 0.25, AL 0.62. With characters of smythiesii-complex. Apicoscrobal hair flagellate, long and straggly. Cephalic dorsum sharply reticulate-punctate, the ground pilosity dense and narrowly spatulate. A single pair of erect hairs present on cephalic dorsum, close to midline near occipital margin. Eye small, composed of 3-4 larger ommatidia and about 4 smaller ommatidia around the ventral periphery; maximum diameter of eye less than maximum width of scape. Scrobe broad between dorsal and ventral margins but quite shallow. Pronotal humeral hair long, flagellate. Pronotum without other erect hairs; a single pair present on mesonotum. Promesonotal dorsum reticulate-punctate but propodeal dorsum almost smooth, with only faint superficial traces of sculpture. Mesonotum with a median longitudinal carina, weakest anteriorly, most strongly developed close to propodeum. Propodeum with a vertical low cuticular lamella on each dorsolateral margin, that extends the length of the segment and terminates on the dorsal base of the propodeal tooth. Propodeal declivity with a broad lamella, its posterior (free) margin concave at level of spiracle but convex below this. Entire side of alitrunk, including side of pronotum, mostly smooth; any sculpture present is restricted to the extreme periphery of the sclerites. Dorsal surface of petiole in profile with a cuticular crest that extends from midlength of peduncle to anterodorsal angle of node. Dorsum of petiole node with faint superficial sculpture only, almost smooth; disc of postpetiole glassy smooth. Hairs on first gastral tergite long and fine, filiform to subflagellate or narrowly looped apically.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Australia: New South Wales, Wiangaree SF, Brindle Creek, 740 m., 29.ii.-3.iii.1980, subtrop. rainfor., berlese, forest, log & leaf litter, NT-11 (A. Newton & M. Thayer).