Camponotus trietericus

Known from Quezon Province and Laguna Province, Luzon Island, Philippines.

Identification
Zettell et al. (2018) - Minor worker: Bicoloured, the black gaster strongly contrasting with the orange forebody; gaster tergites 1 (–2) with variably large orange (-brown) spots. Entire body densely microreticulated and matt. Vertex domed. Clypeus basally very shallowly emarginated in middle. Flagellum of normal length. Dorsal outline of mesosoma slightly convex. Node of petiole stout. Major worker unknown.

Camponotus trietericus has a unique colour pattern, being the only species with orange patches on a black gaster. It is the only bicoloured species of the Philippines, where it is probably endemic. The black tergites strongly contrast with the orange petiole. The entire surface is densely reticulated and matt. The vertex of the disproportionally large head is raised in a dome-like shape, sometimes strongly.

Camponotus trietericus and Colobopsis corallina have a very similar colour pattern, notably the orange patches on gaster tergites 1 and 2. A mixed sample from Luzon indicates that these two species forage together.

Distribution
Described from Mt. Makiling in Laguna Province and recorded from nearby Quezon Province, both on Luzon Island. Probably restricted to the Philippines (Zettel et al., 2018).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Philippines.

Worker
Minor

Nomenclature

 * . Camponotus (Myrmamblys) trietericus Menozzi, 1926e: 95 (w.) PHILIPPINES (Luzon I.).
 * Combination in Colobopsis: Laciny, Zettel, Kopchinskiy, et al. 2018: 29 (in text);
 * combination in Camponotus (Myrmamblys): Zettel, Balàka, et al. 2018: 139.
 * Junior synonym of Colobopsis corallina: Laciny, Zettel, Kopchinskiy, et al. 2018: 29 (in text).
 * Status as species: Chapman & Capco, 1951: 234; Baltazar, 1966: 271; Bolton, 1995b: 127; McArthur, 2012: 56; Zettel, Balàka, et al. 2018: 139.

Worker
Zettell et al. (2018) - holotype (from illustration): Ward’s Indices: ASM/HWex 0.31; ASM/CLW 0.70; CLW/CLL 1.36. non-type specimens (n = 2): HW 1.20, 1.30; HL 1.35, 1.37; SL 1.37, 1.57; SW 0.14, 0.15; EL 0.35, 0.38; ML 1.83, 2.02; HaL 0.24, 0.32; FeL 1.48, 1.55; CI 87, 97; SI 115, 120; EI 29; FeI 114, 130. – Ward’s Indices: ASM/HWex 0.28, 0.29; ASM/CLW 0.59, 0.62; CLW/CLL 1.32, 1.37.

Structures: Entire body with dense microreticulation, matt. Head roundish, vertex domed, sometimes strongly. Lateral outline of eye minimally surpassing outline of head. Shiny midline of frons weakly developed. Clypeus with very shallow medial emargination of basal margin; distal margin almost evenly rounded; median impression very short, at base. Mandible strongly punctate, with five teeth. – Mesosoma slender and low; dorsal outline with weak indentions between pro- and mesonotum and between mesonotum and propodeum. – Petiole with stocky node, its anterior and posterior face almost parallel, apex obliquely truncated. – Gaster tergites with dense reticulation, absent only on very narrow marginal stripes (ca. 0.01 mm) on tergites 3 and 4.

Pilosity: Entire dorsum with long whitish standing setae, longest on vertex, propodeum, petiole, and apex of gaster. Subdecumbent pubescence short, thin, whitish; very sparse on head. Colour: Head, mandibles, scape, antennal segment 2, mesosoma, and petiole orange. Gaster black; tergite 1 (sometimes also tergite 2) with orange brown patches. Antennal segments 3–12 blackish brown. Legs dark brown.

Type Material
Zettell et al. (2018) - Holotype (?) minor worker from Philippines, "Luzon, Mt. Makiling, Baker, 20405 TYPUS C. (Myrmamblys) trietericus Typus Menoz”

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Chapman, J. W., and Capco, S. R. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monogr. Inst. Sci. Technol. Manila 1: 1-327