Formica liopthalma

Seifert & Schultz (2021) found that while the description of this species clearly indicates it belongs to the subgenus Coptoformica, it does not allow a species-level identification. The material investigated during their revision indicated four species to occur in Gansu (the type locality of F. liopthalma): the Beishan morph of Formica exsecta, Formica pisarskii, Formica manchu and Formica brunneonitida. The very rough, unskilled description of Chang & He, mentioning “hairs very sparse” and a weakly notched petiolar crest, could possibly indicate a synonymy with F. brunneonitida but this remains a speculation.

Identification
Chang and He (2002) - Similar to Formica longicepis, but F. liopthalma lacking pubescence on both eye faces; upper 1/3 of petiole node bent forward; posterior half of head dorsum black; hairs very sparse.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  liopthalma. Formica liopthalma Chang & He, 2002a: 52, figs. 13, 14, 51 (w.) CHINA.

Type Material

 * Holotype worker, No. 99 - 096, 18-V-1999, Wuwei, 3400 m, Gansu Province, coll. CHANG Yourde.
 * Paratypes 7 workers, No. 99 - 254; 12 workers, No 99 - 005; 4 workers, No 99 - 090, same as holotype. Deposited in Ningxia Agricultural College collection.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Chang Y.D., and D.H. He. 2002. Taxonomic study of genus Formica L. from Northwest China with descriptions of nine new species and four new records. Zoological Research 23(1): 49-60.
 * Tie Ru, and Xu Shengquan. 2004. Variety and distribution of ants in Northwest China. Journal of Ningxia Agricultural College 25(3): 4-9.