Strumigenys hemisobek

Identification
Bharti & Akbar (2013) - The species hemisobek belongs to the murphyi group which consists of 5 species (dyschima, formosa, hemisobek, murphyi and nannosobek). Members of the group constituted part of the former genus Epitritus, now abandoned (Baroni Urbani & de Andrade, 1994 & 2007; Bolton, 1999). The group is mostly distributed in the Oriental and Malesian regions. The most westerly member of the group yet discovered, hemisobek is easily distinguished from other members of the group by its lack of orbicular hairs on cephalic dorsum and lack of eyes (Bolton, 2000).

India - Interestingly the specimens collected in India have small, rudimentary eyes represented by small, black spots placed in the middle of the antennal scrobes posteriorly. These spots however are very much diffused. The dorsal surface of gaster bears reduced, erect hairs. The ventral spongiform tissue is also reduced in specimens from India.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Nepal.

Nomenclature

 *  hemisobek. Pyramica hemisobek Bolton, 2000: 452, figs. 265, 289 (w.) NEPAL. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 121