Camponotus consectator

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 * . Formica consectator Smith, F. 1858b: 38 (q.) AUSTRALIA (no state data).
 * Combination in Camponotus: Roger, 1863b: 4;
 * combination in C. (Tanaemyrmex): Bolton, 1995b: 94.
 * Status as species: Mayr, 1863: 413; Roger, 1863b: 4; Mayr, 1886c: 355; Dalla Torre, 1893: 226; Emery, 1896d: 374 (in list); Emery, 1925b: 171; Taylor & Brown, 1985: 112; Taylor, 1987a: 11; Bolton, 1995b: 94.
 * angustinodus. Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) discors var. angustinoda Emery, 1925b: 102.
 * [First available use of Camponotus maculatus subsp. discors var. angustinota Forel, 1907h: 300 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA (Western Australia); unavailable (infrasubspecific) name (Taylor, 1986: 34).]
 * As unavailable (infrasubspecific) name: Forel, 1915b: 99; Emery, 1920c: 8.
 * Subspecies of discors: Bolton, 1995b: 85.
 * Junior synonym of consectator: Heterick, 2021: 17.

Taxonomic Notes
Heterick (2021): McArthur (2007, 2010 and 2014) and other publications, including Heterick (2009), incorrectly refer to this species as ‘C. cowlei’. In fact, ‘Camponotus cowlei’ is a junior synonym of Melophorus bagoti. Camponotus consectator was described from a dealated queen, whose Automontage photograph features on AntWeb. The holotype has been disarticulated, but the head is intact, and enough of the mesosoma, gaster and legs can be viewed for it to be compared with an alate Camponotus queen held in WAM. The two specimens are in all respects identical, the lower genae possess erect setae and the mandible in each case has a vertical lighter stripe on the masticatory margin, the combination of these two features being sufficient to distinguish both ants from the queen of the otherwise similar Camponotus gibbinotus. The WAM queen is also associated with workers. These workers agree with C. discors angustinodus, which becomes a junior synonym of C. consectator in this work.

Description
Female. Length 5 limes (10.5 mm) Black, smooth and shining. Head oblong, not wider than the thorax; the anterior margin of the clypeus entire; the mandibles strongly punctured,and ferruginous at their apex; the antennae and legs pale rofo-testaceous. Thorax ovate. Abdomen ovate;the node of the peduncle sub ovate, its superior margin entire. Hab. Australia.