Polyrhachis alphea

Polyrhachis alphea appears rather uncommon with a patchy distribution extending across New Guinea and neighbouring islands to the extreme tip of Cape York Peninsula. A single colony, including a dealate queen, and several alate queens collected at light trap represent the only Australian records of P. alphea.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia. Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Castes
Immature stages (eggs, larvae and pupae) in QM spirit collection. (Kohout 2012)

Nomenclature

 *  alphea. Polyrhachis alpheus Smith, F. 1863: 14 (w.) NEW GUINEA. Kohout, 2012: 45 (q.). Combination in P. (Myrmatopa): Emery, 1925b: 180.

Holotype worker from Waigeo Island, New Guinea (A.R. Wallace) (examined by Kohout, 2012).

Polyrhachis alpheus

Holotype worker in. Labelled “Wag.” (= Waigeo I., New Guinea) and with a Donisthorpe type-label. Gaster of holotype is missing.