Tapinoma ramulorum inrectum

Jack Longino: This species occurs in lowland wet forest habitats. It has very distinctive nesting habits and thus is more easily identified in the field than from museum specimens. It makes small carton nests on the undersides of leaves. The carton is coarse, and the nests are usually no more than 2-3cm across and less than 5mmm high. These nests contain workers, brood, and sexuals. They may also cover scale insects, such that multiple scale insects can be found on the leaf surface under the carton, while no exposed scales can be found anywhere on the surrounding plant. Often several nests are found on different leaves of the same plant, in close proximity, suggesting polydomy. On disturbance, several workers emerge and run wildly over the leaf surface for a few seconds, then retreat back inside the nest. Workers may also be found at extrafloral nectaries.

Identification
Scapes very long, about third of length extending beyond margin of vertex; in full-face view, margin of vertex evenly rounded, not medially emarginate; nests in small carton nests beneath leaves (Jack Longino).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama.

Nomenclature

 *  inrectum. Tapinoma inrectum Forel, 1908b: 63 (w.) COSTA RICA. Currently subspecies of ramulorum: Forel, 1912h: 57.