Temnothorax orchidus

Nested in the trunk or branch of Schima wallichii, feed on nectar of the orchid.

Identification
Zhou et al. (2010) - This species is very similar to Temnothorax angulohumerus, but differs from the latter by antennal scape shorter, pronotum nor strongly convex, whole mesosoma with coarse sculpture, and with different color.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  orchidus. Temnothorax orchidus Zhou, et al. 2010: 14, figs. 4-6 (w.) CHINA.

Worker
Holotype. HL 0.68, HW 0.60, SL 0.54, PW 0.40, ML 0.94, PL 0.20, PH 0.20, ESL 0.12. Paratype workers. HL 0.66-0.70, HW 0.58-0.62, SL 0.53-0.55, PW 0.38-0.42, ML 0.90-0.94, PL 0.19-0.20, PH 0.19-0.20, ESL 0.10-0.12 (4 specimens measured).

Head longer than broad (CI 1.13), with slightly convex sides and almost straight occipital margin. Anterior clypeal margin broadly rounded. Antennae 12-segmented, antennal scape relatively long, almost reaching occipital margin (SI1 = 0.78-0.80, SI2 = 0.88-0.93).

Mesosoma in profile with gently convex pronotum, flat mesonotum and posteriorly inclined propodeum. Metanotal groove indistinct. Propodeum with short, basally widened, sharp spines (ESLI = 0.17-0.20). Humeri in dorsal view distinctly angulate. Petiole as long as high (PI = 1.00), with long anterior peduncle; petiolar node in profile with distinct concave anterior face and broadly rounded dorsum. Postpetiole as high as petiole, subglobular.

Dorsum of head with fine striations, which are very feeble in the central area of the frons. Area between frons and eyes finely reticulate. Anterior margin of pronotum marginate, pronotum with concentrated fine striations, mesonotum and propodeum with short, transverse striations. Sides of pronotum with longitudinal rugosities, mesopleura and propodeum coarsely punctuate. Whole mesosoma appears dull. Petiole finely punctuate, postpetiole and gaster smooth and shining.

Occipital margin and dorsum of mesosoma with sparse, moderately long, slightly curved standing hairs. Antennae, mesosoma, petiole, postperiole and legs brownish-yellow, head and gaster dark brown.

Type Material
Holotypc worker, China: Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, 1655m., N 24°53', E 98°43', 21 March, 2008 (Zhongjian Liu). Paratypes, 4 workers, data as holotype.

Etymology
This species is named after its host plant, an orchid.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fontanilla A. M., A. Nakamura, Z. Xu, M. Cao, R. L. Kitching, Y. Tang, and C. J. Burwell. 2019. Taxonomic and functional ant diversity along tropical, subtropical, and subalpine elevational transects in southwest China. Insects 10, 128; doi:10.3390/insects10050128
 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Zhou S., J.; Huang, D. Yu, and Z. Liu. 2010. Eight new species and three newly recorded species of the ant genus Temnothorax Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Chinese mainland, with a key. Sociobiology 56:(1): 7-26