Rogeria pellecta

Only known from the southern Brazil types collected from berlesate of leaf litter (Kugler 1994).

Identification
Kugler (1994) - Most similar to but not quite like other species in the germaini species group. WL 0.90-0.99mm. Clypeus with median notch. Metanotal groove distinct. Metapleural lobes prominent, triangular. Petiolar node arises gradually from peduncle. Sting and lancets strong, acute; sting shaft with dorsal flange; lancet with barbule. Laterodorsa of head longitudinally rugose. Promesonotum coarsely areolate to rugose-areolate. Back of petiolar node strongly areolate; postpetiole vestigially areolate. Scapes lack erect hair. Dorsa of head, mesosoma, nodes and gaster with erect and decumbent pilosity. Mandibles, palpal formula, eye, propodeal spines, postpetiole, other aspects of petiole, sculpture, and pilosity as in gennaini-group diagnosis.

In the southern Brazil/ Paraguay area occur related species Rogeria germaini, Rogeria lacertosa, and Rogeria sicaria.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Brazil.

Castes
Only known from workers.

Nomenclature

 *  pellecta. Rogeria pellecta Kempf, 1963a: 191, figs. 3, 4 (w.) BRAZIL. See also: Kugler, C. 1994: 45.

Worker
Kugler (1994) - TL 3.4-3.7, HL 0.81-0.89, HW 0.71-0.78, SL 0.55-0.60, EL 0.09-0.11 (16-21 facets), PW 0.50-0.55, WL 0.90-0.99, SpL 0.17-0.21, PetL 0.39-0.46, PpetL 0.20-0.22mm, CI 0.87-0.88, OI 0.12-0.14, SI 0.77-0.79, PSI 0.19-0.22. N=6

The following supplements Kempf (1963). Palpal formula 3,2. Anterior edge of clypeus weakly emarginate. Eyes oval. Metanotal groove may be bordered behind by a transverse costa. Posterior face of petiolar node vertical or slightly concave in lateral view. Postpetiole widest anteriorly, as in Fig. 32, or evenly convex, as in Fig. 53. Sting apparatus like that of inermis, except for the sting, which has larger anterolateral processes on sting base, a stronger, relatively thicker sting shaft, and a lower dorsal flange.

Posterior head sculpture is rugose-areolate, with rugae longitudinally diverging or transversely arching across back of head. Rugae of laterodorsa sometimes broken and with lateral spurs. Sides of head areolate around eye, but effaced and nearly smooth ventrad. Dorsal face of propodeum transversely carinulate to coarsely areolate. Petiolar node with areolate macrosculpture that becomes weaker and less defined anteriorly. Ventral petiole with a pair of longitudinal carinae arising from an anterior keel. Head and mesosoma microsculpture vestigial, leaving nearly smooth, shiny intervals in macrosculpture. Sides of petiolar peduncle microareolate; nodes roughened by obscure microsculpture and not as shiny as head and mesosoma.

Color yellowish-brown; gaster slightly darker. Legs, and sometimes antennae, lighter, more yellowish. Mandibles often slightly darker than head capsule.

Gynecoid Workers. —As described by Kempf (1963).

Type Material
Kugler (1994) - Holotype worker, BRAZIL: Santa Catarina State, Nova Teutônia (F. Plaumann), [6 of 28 para type workers examined, including 4 from holotype locality; holotype not examined].