Monomorium orangiae

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. tchelichofi complex in the M. salomonis species group. Very close to Monomorium tchelichofi, orangiae is separated by its feebler alitrunk sculpture, unsculptured postpetiole node and more sharply defined lateral propodeal margins.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa.

Nomenclature

 *  orangiae. Monomorium (Xeromyrmex) orangiae Arnold, 1956: 67, fig. 16 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. See also: Bolton, 1987: 354.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 3.7-4.0, HL 0.92-0.98, HW 0.76-0.80, CI 81-83, SL 0.78-0.79, SI 98-102, PW 0.44-0.48, AL 1.02-1.06 (3 measured).

Anterior margin of median portion of clypeus broadly and evenly concave. With the head in full-face view the sides evenly convex, broadest at the midlength and converging anteriorly and posteriorly. Maximum diameter of eye 0.21-0.22 x HW and with 10-12 ommatidia in the longest row, the eyes appearing small on the sides of the relatively massive broad head. Outline of promesonotum in profile shallowly convex, the mesonotum sloping posteriorly to the distinctly impressed metanotal groove. Propodeum fiat to shallowly transversely concave dorsally, the dorsum separated from the sides by conspicuous narrowly rounded margins. Petiole node cuneate in profile, narrowly rounded dorsally. In dorsal view both nodes narrow and strongly transverse, much broader than long. Cephalic dorsum with 2-3 pairs of hairs straddling the midline behind the level of the frontal lobes; without hairs close to the occipital corners. Dorsal alitrunk without standing hairs. Petiole with one pair and postpetiole with 1-2 pairs of backward directed hairs. First gastral tergite with 2-3 pairs of hairs in front of the apical transverse row. Head smooth, unsculptured except for vestigial superficial reticular patterning; promesonotal dorsum similarly sculptured. Propodeal dorsum with very feeble reticulate-shagreenate sculpture or only vestigially shagreenate. Node of postpetiole unsculptured dorsally, the first gastral tergite unsculptured or with fine superficial reticular patterning. Colour uniform glossy dark brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Paratype workers, South Africa: Orange River, Kakamas, 3.xii. 1953 (R. H. N. Smithers) [examined].