Rhopalothrix ciliata

Specimens have been collected in cloud forest and montane evergreen forest.

Identification
Key to Rhopalothrix workers

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia, Ecuador.

Nomenclature

 *  ciliata. Rhopalothrix ciliata Mayr, 1870a: 415 (w.) COLOMBIA. See also: Brown & Kempf, 1960: 232.

Worker
Brown and Kempf (1960) - Lectotype: TL 3.1, HL 0.69, HW 0.66 (CI 96), ML 0.32, WL 0.75 mm.

The arch of large hairs from eye to eye is set in a broad and very shallow sulcus. In addition to the large hairs shown in the figure, there are numerous small, appressed squamose hairs covering the dorsum of the head, including the clypeus, labrum, and the upper surfaces of the scapes. Small hairs are present but inconspicuous on the alitrunk dorsum, where a whitish incrustation hides the surface; this also present on dorsum of occipital lobes, center of head and both nodes. Short simple hairs, oblique to reclinate, on mandibles, flexor margins of scapes, gula, legs, and sparse between larger hairs of gaster. Promesonotal suture indicated by a feeble sulcus; metanotal groove deep and abrupt. One erect cochlear hair on each side of mesonotum; one pair of posteriorly-inclined clavate hairs on petiolar node, 6 clavate hairs near posterior edge of postpetiole, and numerous obliquely erect clavate hairs evenly spaced over both surfaces of gaster. Body densely reticulate-punctulate, opaque; gaster and mandibles not quite so densely punctulate, gaster weakly shining of gaster.

The "apical fork" is composed of the long dorsal (subapical) and a slightly shorter ventral (true apical) tooth; between are two small subequal intercalary teeth.

Dull ferruginous, legs more yellowish.

Type Material
Longino and Boudinot (2013) - Lectotype, worker: Colombia, Santa Fe Bogota. (not examined).