Technomyrmex quadricolor

The type was taken “among fallen leaves.”

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  quadricolor. Aphantolepis quadricolor Wheeler, W.M. 1930d: 44, fig. 2 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in Technomyrmex: Brown, 1953h: 5. See also: Bolton, 2007a: 115.

Worker
Head slightly longer than broad, distinctly narrowed anteriorly, with broadly rounded posterior corners and entire posterior border. Eyes moderately large and convex, placed a little in front of the middle of the sides of the head. Surface of clypeus rather flat, slightly projecting but scarcely subcarinate in the middle, the anterior border transverse, feebly sinuate on each side. Mandibles with nearly straight external and somewhat oblique apical borders, the latter with seven small, acute teeth, which are somewhat crowded and subequal, except the basal and third tooth from the apex, which are smaller. Antennal scapes extending nearly one-third their length beyond the posterior border of the head; first funicular joint twice as long as broad, nearly as long as the two succeeding joints together; joints 2-10 only slightly longer than broad, the terminal joint as long as the two penultimate joints together. Pronotum from above trapezoidal, broader than long, broader anteriorly than posteriorly, in profile feebly convex above. Mesonotum much narrower than the pronotum, slightly longer than broad, as broad in front as behind, with subparallel, slightly concave sides, in profile rounded and sloping backward to the pronounced mesoepinotal constriction. Epinotum broader than long, subrectangular from above, slightly broader behind through the prominent spiracles than in front; in profile with very convex, rounded base passing without an angle into the shorter, concave declivity. Petiole small, nearly twice as long as broad, from above regularly elliptical, except at the posterior border where it is excised for the articulation of the gaster. A very feeble trace of the absent node is represented by the narrowly rounded anterior end of the fiat dorsal surface; the ventral surface is distinctly convex. Gaster broad anteriorly, rapidly tapering and pointed posteriorly, the anterior truncated surface of the first segment longitudinally impressed in the middle for the accommodation of the petiole. Legs rather stout.

Smooth and shining, especially the dorsal surface of the head, the pronotum and the gaster, meso- and epinotum more subopaque, very finely and densely punctate or reticulate. Mandibles smooth, with a few scattered piligerous punctures.

Erect hairs brownish, pointed, few in number, of unequal length, arranged as pairs of macrochretre on the head, pro- and mesonotum as in some species of Paratrechina (subgen. Nylanderia). Gaster both dorsally and ventrally with similar but shorter hairs, and the head and gaster also with more numerous short, suberect hairs or coarse pubescence. Antennal scapes and legs with pale, long, oblique, rather abundant pubescence.

Head and thorax yellowish red, the former a little darker, with a fuscous doud on the vertex. Mandibles, petiole, legs, scapes and first funicular joint clear yellow; remaining funicular joints dark brown; mandibular teeth and gaster black; terminal tarsal joints reddish.