Strumigenys flagellata

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys semicompta-group. TL 1.7-2.0, HL 0.46-0.50, HW 0.30-0.33, CI 62-66, ML 0.07-0.10, MI 16-18, SL 0.22-0.25, SI 69-75, PW 0.20-0.23, AL 0.50-0.57 (6 measured). Of the four known species in this group flagellata is characterised and separated from the others by its possession of conspicuous pairs of long flagellate hairs: 5 pairs on the head, 2 on the pronotum, 1 each on the petiole and postpetiole, 2 at the base of the first gastral tergite. Flagellate hairs are entirely absent in Strumigenys carnassa, Strumigenys pydrax and Strumigenys semicompta. In addition flagellata lacks a pale cuticular annulus around the orifice of the propodeal spiracle and has a short high petiole node, where the anterior and dorsal faces are subequal in length. In contrast carnassa, pydrax and semicompta have a broad, pale cuticular annulus around the orifice of the spiracle, and have petiole nodes with the dorsum much longer than the anterior face in profile. S. carnassa, pydrax and semicompta are quickly separated by the following worker characters.

S. semicompta: leading edge of scape with a row of short suberect clavate hairs. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind tibiae and basitarsi with erect simple hairs. Dorsolateral margin of head in full-face view with 10 or more elongate simple hairs that project freely from the upper scrobe margin and the side of the occipital lobe. Basigastral costulae traverse limbus and distinctly extend for some distance onto the tergite proper.

S. carnassa: leading edge of scape with a row of closely appressed small spatulate hairs. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind tibiae and basitarsi with short decumbent to appressed hairs. Dorsolateral margin of head in full-face view with 3-4 short simple hairs freely projecting from the side of the occipital lobe; upper scrobe margin only with a row of anteriorly curved short spatulate hairs. Basigastral costulae very short, present on limbus but barely extending onto the tergite proper.

S. pydrax: leading edge of scape with minute appressed hairs. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind tibiae and basitarsi with short appressed hairs. Dorsolateral margin of head in full-face view without hairs freely projecting from the side of the occipital lobe or upper scrobe margin. Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk without standing hairs; no pronotal humeral hair. Basigastral costulae very short, present on limbus but barely extending onto the tergite proper.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  flagellata. Codiomyrmex flagellatus Taylor, 1962: 7, figs. 6-9 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in Glamyromyrmex: Taylor & Brown, D.R. 1985: 64; in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1672; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 120. See also: Bolton, 2000: 477.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker and paratype workers, AUSTRALIA: Queensland, Clump Point, near Mourilyan, 3.vi.1953 (T.E. Woodward) [examined].