Solenopsis clarki

Stray workers or nests of Solenopsis clarki are often found when galleries in the nests of other ant species are excavated. Nests can also be found under rocks and pieces of wood or bark. (Heterick 2009)

Identification
Heterick (2009) - Widespread in the SWBP, WA and may extend much further north (what appears to be the same species also occurs in the Kimberley region). This species shows monophasic allometric differences between smaller minor workers and larger major workers. The two sub-castes possess a similar morphology but the major worker is larger and darker in colour with a broader head capsule.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Castes
Polymorphic worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Solenopsis clarki Crawley, 1922c: 16 (s.w.) AUSTRALIA (Western Australia).
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
 * Type-locality: Australia: Western Australia, Byford, no. 171 (J. Clark).
 * Type-depository: OXUM.
 * Status as species: Ettershank, 1966: 140; Taylor & Brown, 1985: 87; Taylor, 1987a: 72; Bolton, 1995b: 386; Heterick, 2009: 176.
 * Distribution: Australia.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fisher J., L. Beames, B. J. Rangers, N. N. Rangers, J. Majer, and B. Heterick. 2014. Using ants to monitor changes within and surrounding the endangered Monsoon Vine Thickets of the tropical Dampier Peninsula, north Western Australia. Forest Ecology and Management 318: 7890.
 * Heterick B. E. 2009. A guide to the ants of south-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 76: 1-206.
 * Heterick B. E., M. Lythe, and C; Smithyman. 2012. Urbanisation factors impacting on ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) biodiversity in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia: Two case studies. Urban Ecosyst. DOI 10.1007/s11252-012-0257-28