Dolichoderus inferus

Dolichoderus inferus is most common in dry sclerophyll habitats but extends into wet sclerophyll as well. Foragers have been encountered primarily on low vegetation and trees and a nest was found in a dead branch.

Identification
Pronotum rounded, lacking spines, propodeum with elongate spines directed upward at angle of 45° or less to horizontal plane, the angle between them at least 90°; base of propodeal spines forming a "U" with a broad concavity connecting their bases (sometimes this region flat or weakly convex); dorsum of petiolar node broad; legs short and dark red-brown in colour, at most only slightly lighter in colour than the body.

This species is similar to Dolichoderus ypsilon, Dolichoderus rufotibialis and Dolichoderus niger but can be distinguished from these by its dorsally broad petiolar node (rather than angular); and the broad "U" formed at the base of the propodeal spines rather than a narrowly angled "V" when viewed from the front. It is most similar to Dolichoderus scabridus which also has a broad petiolar node, and "U" at the base of the propodeal spines, but differs in having dark red-brown legs rather than yellowish-red.

Key to Australian Dolichoderus Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

While most specimens have been encountered in the general vicinity of Sydney, there is a single collection from southern Victoria, some 700kms to the south-east. These specimens are morphologically inseparable from the Sydney population and appear to represent the same species. The current status of this species in Victoria is uncertain given that it has only been found a single time.

Nomenclature

 *  inferus. Dolichoderus inferus Shattuck & Marsden, 2013: 122, fig. 14 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
The available material shows little variation.

Measurements (n=5). CI 92–97; EI 20–22; EL 0.28–0.31; HL 1.44–1.54; HW 1.33–1.42; ML 1.96–2.12; MTL 1.14–1.21; PronI 73.48–74.79; PronW 1.00–1.05; SI 100–105; SL 1.38–1.46.