Epopostruma frosti

This species has been collected in mallee, dry sclerophyll, dry sclerophyll on a ridge with much low heath scrub and tall gums on a hillside. Specific collection sites or situations include sugar baits late in the evening and at night, honey bait on tree trunks on a cold, moonless night, diurnal and nocturnal foragers, under logs, under a mossy limestone rock with the nest in carton material, and nests in soil and leaf litter. It is known to occur in southern South Australia and Western Australia.

Identification
This species is immediately recognisable by the sharp angles or small teeth immediately above the eyes.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  frosti. Hexadaceton frosti Brown, 1948e: 120, fig. 2 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973c: 211 (l.). Combination in Epopostruma: Taylor, 1973: 26. See also: Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 60.

Description
Area immediately above the eye forming a sharp angle or small tooth. Pronotal spines present, elongate. Posterior section of metanotum and dorsal surface of the propodeum forming a continuous surface. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with thin flanges. Petiolar spines present, elongate. Anterior face of postpetiole indistinguishable from the dorsal surface; sides of postpetiole expanded laterally in the form of distinct sharp teeth or spines; in dorsal view the anterior and posterior teeth approximately the same length; posterolateral margin of postpetiole (immediately anterior of gaster) flat to weakly concave. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster short erect hairs. First gastral tergite smooth. Body colour yellow-red, head. legs and sometimes gaster slightly lighter than mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole.

Measurements

Worker (n=7): TL 4.7-5.6mm, HL 1.14-1.29mm, HW 1.21-1.43mm, CI 103-111, MandL 0.57-0.67mm, MandI 47-52, SL 0.66-0.74mm, SI 52-56, PronW 0.64-0.81mm, ML 1.14-1.36mm.