Lordomyrma

Workers of Lordomyrma are most often encountered in leaf litter or while foraging on vegetation. They nest in soil or under small rocks and in rotten twigs and logs on the ground. The few colonies which have been collected have been small, with less than 100 workers in total. They are slow moving and timid when disturbed.



Worker of L. leae from Lord Howe Island.

Identification
The antennae are 12 segmented (including the scape). The upper surface of the head with (northern species) or without (southern species) grooves or depressions (antennal scrobes) for the reception of the antennae when at rest. The eyes are large, have 8 or more facets (ommatidia) in their greatest diameter and are distinctly oval or elongate. The area of the clypeus immediately below the antennal sockets is smooth and rounded. The mandibles have 6 to 10 teeth. The upper surface of the propodeum is approximately even with the pronotum and mesonotum so that the upper surface of the mesosoma forms a uniform arch interrupted only by the shallow metanotal groove. The tip of the sting is a thin, sharp point (visible only when the sting is extended).

The characters listed above will separate these ants from others in Australia. They are superficially most similar to workers of Austromorium, but differ in having more teeth in the mandibles and a sharply pointed sting.

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution



Regional Species Lists

 * Australia

Keys to Species

 * Australia