Key to Veromessor species

Key to Veromessor species based on workers.

1

 * Propodeal spines long, much longer than the distance separating their bases => 2
 * Propodeal spines short, not longer than the distance separating their bases => 6

2

 * Psammophore absent => Veromessor andrei
 * Psammophore present => 3

3

 * Base of antennal scape only slightly expanded and similar in size and shape to narrowest scape diameter (Mexico only) => 4
 * Base of antennal scape expanded and flattened, much broader than the narrowest scape diameter and differing in shape => 5

4

 * Body strongly bicolored, head and mesosoma yellow-red, contrasting with reddish-black gaster; petiolar node in side view with the anterior face separated from the dorsal surface by an angle; propodeal spines raising above the dorsal surface of the propodeum at an angle of approximately 45° => Veromessor julianus clarior, Veromessor julianus manni
 * Body uniform in color or nearly so, the reddish-black mesosoma only slightly lighter in color than the dark reddish-black head and gaster; petiolar node broadly rounded dorsally, the anterior face merging gradually into the dorsal face; propodeal spines raising above the dorsal surface of the propodeum at an angle less than approximately 30° => Veromessor julianus

5

 * Base of antennal scape flattened symmetrically with both the inner and lateral surfaces similar in size and shape => Veromessor lobognathus
 * Base of antennal scape with a large lobe medially and an elongate tooth-like flange laterally, the base highly asymmetrical => Veromessor chamberlini

6

 * Psammophore absent => 7
 * Psammophore present => 8

7

 * Base of antennal scape flattened and with the outer surface drawn forward well beyond the inner surface, so that the base of the scape is asymmetrical; pronotum and mesonotum (in dorsal view) with similar sculpturing => Veromessor chicoensis
 * Base of antennal scape flattened but symmetrically, so that the inner and outer surfaces are similar in shape and size; mesonotum smooth or nearly so, sculpturing distinctly weaker than dorsum of pronotum => Veromessor stoddardi

8

 * Base of antennal scape expanded and flattened, much broader than the narrowest scape diameter and differing in shape => Veromessor smithi
 * Base of antennal scape only slightly expanded and similar in size and shape to narrowest scape diameter => 9

9

 * Eyes very large, color pale yellow => Veromessor lariversi
 * Eyes normal-sized, color dark red-brown => Veromessor pergandei