Tetraponera punctulata

While the ant will nest in dead branches of trees of several genera, it favours eucalypts, and is known to tend Coccoidea (Ward 2001). Within the SWBP, T. punctulata is widespread and reasonably common, and can  typically be seen foraging around the trunk of Wandoos. The unusually long, thin outline of this species makes it readily recognizable in the field. (Heterick 2009)

Distribution
Heterick (2009) - Tetraponera punctulata has a wide distribution throughout Australia, except for the deep south and the arid zone, and is also found in Papua New Guinea (Ward 2001).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia. Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Nomenclature

 *  punctulata. Tetraponera punctulata Smith, F. 1877b: 72 (q.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in Sima: Dalla Torre, 1893: 55; in S. (Tetraponera): Emery, 1921f: 26; in Tetraponera: Chapman & Capco, 1951: 81. Senior synonym of kimberleyensis: Ward, 2001: 641.
 * kimberleyensis. Sima punctulata var. kimberleyensis Forel, 1915b: 37 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in S. (Tetraponera): Emery, 1921f: 26; in Tetraponera: Taylor & Brown, D.R. 1985: 18. Junior synonym of punctulata: Ward, 2001: 641.