Mesostruma laevigata

In WA this ant has been collected from bark traps on Powderbark Wandoo trunks at Dryandra. (Heterick 2009)

Identification
Mesostruma laevigata can be recognisable by the presence of sharp angles or short teeth on the pronotal corners and the wing-like projections on the lateral surfaces of the postpetiole. The only other species with pronotal teeth or spines, M. eccentrica, lacks postpetiolar wings.

Distribution
Heterick (2009) - Widely distributed throughout southern Australia.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  laevigata. Mesostruma laevigata Brown, 1952g: 12, fig. 1 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1955a: 130 (l.). See also: Taylor, 1973: 28; Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 51.

Worker
Shattuck (2000) - TL 2.9 - 4.2, HL 0.66 - 0.90, HW 0.57 - 0.82, CI 85 - 93, ML 0.26 - 0.36, MI 34 - 44, SL 0.43 - 0.51, SI 59 - 63, PW 0.37 - 0.60, AL 0.72 - 1.12. Head longer than broad (CI 85 - 93), its posterior margin weakly and broadly concave. In dorsal view the anterolateral corners of pronotum armed with sharp angles or short teeth. Dorsum of mesosoma with shallow foveolate punctures of varying densities (more widely spaced medially, more densely spaced posterolaterally), the area between the punctures with weak, indistinct sculpturing. Propodeal lamellae well developed. Sculpturing on the metaplerual gland bulb reticulcate-punctate. Lateral surfaces of postpetiole with well developed wings. First gastral segment immediately posterior of the postpetiole with short, evenly spaced distinct rugae. Body colour dark yellow-red to dark red-brown, often with light infuscation; mandibles, legs and gaster slightly lighter.