Stictoponera bulbopila

Nothing is known about the biology of this species.

Identification
Lattke (2004) - Head elongate with evenly convex lateral margins in frontal view, posterior margin concave, frons punctate over smooth cuticle; scape punctate with scattered brief longitudinal strigulae, abundant semi erect hairs present, each hair basally bulbous, then gradually tapers apically.

This species is unique among Stictoponera in having hairs on the scape that have a bulbous base and gradually taper toward the apex. These specialized hairs are only found on the scapes and not elsewhere on the ant.

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

Castes
Queen and male unknown.

Nomenclature

 * . Gnamptogenys bulbopila Lattke, 2004: 96, fig. 18 (w.) PHILIPPINES (Mindanao I.).
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Philippines: Misamis Oriental, Minubanan, 1050-1200 m., 5-9.iv.1961 (H. Torrevillas).
 * Type-depository: LACM.
 * Combination in Stictoponera: Camacho, Franco, Branstetter, et al. 2022: 12.
 * Status as species: Camacho, Franco, Branstetter, et al. 2022: 12.
 * Distribution: Philippines (Mindanao).

Worker
Metrics. Holotype: HL 1.60, HW 1.18, ML 0.79, SL 1.45, ED 0.29, WL 2.20 mm. CI 0.74, SI 1.23, MI 0.67, OI 0.20. Head elongate with evenly convex lateral margins in frontal view, posterior margin concave, anterior margin of clypeal lamella with median convex lobe, laterally curved; frons punctate over smooth cuticle; clypeus with longitudinal ridges that extend partially onto lamella, shallow median sulcus present; mandibles with low strigulae; occipital lobes lacking; occipital lamella well developed; scape punctate with scattered brief longitudinal strigulae, abundant suberect hairs present, each hair basally bulbous, then gradually tapering apically.

Mesosoma mostly punctate over smooth cuticle; humeral angle poorly developed; mesosomal dorsal margin broadly convex in lateral view; propodeal declivity concave in lateral view, propodeal declivitous face mostly smooth with fine rugosities anterad; propodeal denticle small, triangular. Petiolar node with convex dorsal margin in lateral view, anteriorly broadly convex, higher posterad than anterad; ventral process forming sharply pointed anteriorly projecting triangular lobe; postpetiolar dorsum punctate over smooth cuticle, sternum punctate with scattered low strigulae; dorsum of abdominal segment 4 mostly smooth with scattered punctulae, sternum strigulose. Fore coxa transversely strigulose in lateral view; fore tarsus opposite strigil with single stout seta followed apically by row of smaller setae; metacoxal tooth low, triangular. Dorsum of thorax and abdominal segments 1-4 with scattered erect to subdecumbent hairs. General body color ferruginous.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Philippine Islands, Misamis Oriental, Minubanan, 1050-1200m, 5/9-iv-1961, H. Torrevillas. Deposited in.

Etymology
The species epithet is a compound name derived from the Latin words for a fleshy underground stem or bulb, bulbus, and for hair, pilus (m). It alludes to the uniquely shaped hairs on the scapes.