Rogeria scandens

A collection from Panama was taken from Heliconia.

Identification
Kugler (1994) - scandens species group. WL 0.93-1 .17mm. Eye very large (about 60-80 facets). Propodeal spines long (PSI 0.25-0.28). Petiole clavate, with rather large node (PetW/PetL 0.49-0.58). Postpetiole wide (PpetW/PpetL 1.38-1.61). Mesosoma and petiolar node strongly macro sculptured. Erect hairs with dentate ends.

Similar to Rogeria terescandens but terescandens differs by having: 1) Propodeal spines shorter, 2) petiolar node lower, more slender (PetW/PetL0.40-0.41), 3) postpetiole narrower (PpetW/PpetL 1.08-1.16), and 4) macrosculp ture very weak, especially on mesosoma and waist, and 5) eye slightly smaller.

Distribution
Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama.

Castes
Males have not been collected.

Nomenclature

 *  scandens. Macromischa scandens Mann, 1922: 30, fig. 14 (w.) HONDURAS. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1986f: 493 (l.); Kugler, C. 1994: 39 (q.). Combination in Irogera: Kempf, 1961d: 438; in Rogeria: Kempf, 1965: 185.

Kugler (1994) - The Honduran and Panamanian specimens may be separate species. They differ slightly in shape of mesosoma and petiole, sculpture, and color, and the Honduran specimens are a little larger (WL 1. 13-1.17mm) than the Panamanian specimens (WL 0.93-1 .08mm). I prefer to call these geographic variants, however, until we have more specimens from more localities.

Worker
Kugler (1994) - TL 3.5-4.2, HL 0.83-1.02, HW 0.70•0.85, SL 0.59-0.73, EL 0.17-0.20 (60-80 facets), PW 0.53-0.62, WL 0.93-1.17, SpL 0.23-0.30, PetL 0.42•0.55, PpetL 0.23-0.27mm, CI 0.82-0.86, OI 0.21•0.24, SI 0.84-0.86, PSI 0.25-0.28. N=6

Mandible in most specimens with 5 teeth decreasing in size until large basal tooth. A denticle may appear between basal and penultimate tooth. Nuchal grooves shallow, not visible in lateral view. Metanotal groove in lateral view broad and shallow to absent; groove sometimes accentuated by a low transverse ridge at anterior of propodeum. Propodeal spines more strongly inclined in Honduran than Panamanian specimens. Metapleural lobes somewhat longer and narrower in Honduran specimens. Petiolar node slightly more distinct in Honduran specimens. Sting apparatus like that of inermis, except for wider anterior apodemes and a more rounded posterodorsal corners on spiracular plates and larger anterolateral processes on the sting base (pygidium and anal plate lost in preparation).

Median clypeus with additional 1-2 pairs of fairly distinct carinulae lateral to the usual pair for the genus. Posterior head longitudinally rugose (continuing from middorsum), transversely arching rugose, or transversely rugose-areolate. Interrugal spaces on head distinctly to weakly granular; microsculpture weaker and surface shinier on posterior. Oval area on ventral half of sides of head largely smooth and very shiny. Anterior surface and neck of pronotum smooth; rest of promesonotum with widely spaced longitudinal rugae, which become vermiculate on mesonotum. Rugae on Panamanian specimens not so vermiculate on mesonotum, and with lateral spurs. Sides of pronotum with parallel, upcurved carinae, which are more numerous and more distinct on Honduran specimens. Dorsal face of propodeum confused areolate or areolaterugose. Intervals in mesosoma macrosculpture smooth and shiny. Petiolar node heavily areolaterugose on sides and posterior face; sculpture weaker dorsad; no clear microsculpture. Postpetiolar node weakly rugose or rugose-areolate on sides and posterior surface, becoming weaker, sometimes absent toward midline; microsculpture vaguely microareolate to nearly smooth.

Scapes and extensor surfaces of legs without erect hair. Dorsa of head, mesosoma, nodes, and gaster Tl sparsely covered with fine appressed hair and longer, stiff, thick, erect-suberect hair with toothed apex. Mandibles, clypeus and terminal segments of gaster with long erect hair that is tapered and less stiff.

Color of Honduran specimens reddish-brown. Panamanian specimens blackish-brown. Appendages often lighter.

Queen
Kugler (1994) - TL 4.2, HL 0.95, HW 0.82, 5L 0.63, EL 0.22, PW 0.69, WL 1.20, SpL 0.28, PetL 0.50, PpetL 0.30mm, CI 0.86, SI 0.76, P51 0.23. N=l

Differing from the Panamanian workers in the usual queen characteristics. Pronotum transversely rugose. Mesonotum longitudinally rugose without cross-connections or vermiculate appearance.

Type Material
Kugler (1994) - Syntype workers, HONDURAS: Lombardia (Mann) [5 of 6 syntypes examined].