Strumigenys hyphata group

Strumigenys hyphata group Bolton (2000)

Worker Diagnosis
Mandibles in full-face view and at full closure narrowly triangular, with a small edentate space basally immediately in front of the clypeal margin. Serially dentate margins of mandibles engage throughout their lengths or apices of basal teeth just fail to meet. In ventral view outer margin of mandible without an inflected prebasal angle. MI 15-18.

Dentition. With a small diastema distal of the basal lamella, or the lamella extends to the basal tooth; this followed by 5-6 teeth and an indeterminate series (apparently 4-5) of minute denticles that terminates in a slightly larger apical tooth. Total dental count probably 12 or slightly lower.

Basal lamella either not visible in full-face view or the anterior portion visible when the mandibles are fully closed.

Labrum terminates in a pair of elongate triangular to conical lobes.

Clypeus with anterior margin narrowly convex in full-face view, rounding evenly into the lateral margins or continuous with them, without developed anterolateral angles; lateral margins straight to shallowly convex and feebly divergent posteriorly.

Clypeal dorsum with elevated curved or arched stout specialised hairs present. Lateral and anterior margins of clypeus with freely projecting simple to narrowly spatulate hairs that are curved or directed anteriorly. Extreme apex of anterior clypeal margin with a row of 4-6 small hairs that project outward and curve downward.

Preocular carinae clearly visible in full-face view, their outer margins shallowly convex; at maximum distance across preocular carinae is greater than maxi mum width of clypeus.

Ventrolateral margin of head marginate between eye and mandibular insertion. Postbuccal impression shallow and inconspicuous.

Cuticle of side of head within scrobe reticulate-punctate.

Scape moderate to long, SI 67-94, relatively slender, subcylindrical or slightly dorsoventrally flattened, with a sharp leading edge.

Leading edge of scape with or without freely projecting hairs; if such hairs present they are simple or wire-like, never spatulate nor spoon-shaped.

Pronotum not marginate dorsolaterally.

Propodeum with triangular teeth subtended by a lamella.

Petiole node in dorsal view as long as broad or slightly longer than broad.

Spongiform appendages present on petiole and postpetiole. Base of first gastral sternite in profile with a pad of spongiform tissue.

Pilosity. Pronotal humeral hair present, flagellate. Dorsolateral margin of head with one or more freely projecting flagellate or wire-like hairs. Dorsum of head behind clypeus with simple fine hairs that are sinuate, arched or looped. Clypeal pilosity variable and diagnostic, discussed under individual species. Mesonotum with a single pair of long fine flagellate hairs. Ground-pilosity of dorsal alitrunk of simple curved, sinuate or looped short hairs. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind tibiae with decumbent to appressed narrowly spatulate hairs only, or with longer fine hairs.

Sculpture. Dorsum of head behind clypeus and dorsal alitrunk reticulate-punctate. Disc of postpetiole sculptured. Pleurae and side of propodeum mostly or entirely smooth.