Paratrechina

This is a monotypic genus. The single species (Paratrechina longicornis) is invasive has been spread throughout the tropics and subtropics.

Identification
Mandible with 5 teeth; maxillary palps 6-segmented; labial palps 4-segmented; erect setae on dorsum of head randomly placed; scapes lacking erect hairs; abundant erect setae on legs and dorsum of mesosoma. Eyes well developed and convex, surpassing outline of head in full frontal view, placed midlength and laterally on head. Dorsal mesosomal setae arranged loosely in pairs; propodeum lacking erect setae; propodeum with a low-domed dorsal face; overall mesosoma shape long and slender. (LaPolla et al. 2010)

Key to Prenolepis Group Genera

Distribution
The single species in the genus Paratrechina longicornis has been spread by humans and obtained a pantropical distribution. It is also found in temperate climates, largely through establishing itself in buildings and other artificial environments such as greenhouses. (Wetterer et al., 1999, Wetterer 2008).

Note that the single known species of this genus has been widely distributed through human activity and its native range is uncertain. Because of this the genus is shown as "Present as exotic" everywhere it occurs. It is likely that Paratrechina arose in South-east Asia but this has yet to be confirmed (Wetterer, 2008).

Nomenclature

 *  PARATRECHINA [Formicinae: Plagiolepidini]
 * Paratrechina Motschoulsky, 1863: 13. Type-species: Paratrechina currens (junior synonym of Formica longicornis), by subsequent designation of Wheeler, W.M. 1911f: 170.
 * Paratrechina junior synonym of Prenolepis: Dalla Torre, 1893: 177; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 940.
 * Paratrechina revived from synonymy: Emery, 1925b: 216.

Additional References

 * LaPolla, J. S., S. G. Brady, and S. O. Shattuck. 2010. Phylogeny and taxonomy of the Prenolepis genus-group of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Systematic Entomology. 35:118-1


 * Wetterer, J.K. 2008. Worldwide spread of the longhorn crazy ant, Paratrechina longicornis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecoloigcal News 11, 137-149.