Dolichoderus mariae

This ground-nesting species forms large colonies and forages on low vegetation for arthropod prey and honeydew.

Identification Keys including this Taxon

 * Key to North American Dolichoderus workers

Distribution
Reported from Massachusetts west through Illinois to Minnesota and Oklahoma, and south to Florida and Mississippi.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.



Abundance
Can be locally abundant but populations can be spotty, particularly in the southern most portions of its range.

Nomenclature

 *  mariae. Dolichoderus mariae Forel, 1885a: 349 (w.) U.S.A. Mayr, 1886d: 436 (q.); Wheeler, W.M. 1905d: 306 (m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1966: 726 (l.). Combination in D. (Hypoclinea): Emery, 1894c: 229. Senior synonym of blatchleyi, davisi: Creighton, 1950a: 334. See also: Smith, D.R. 1979: 1415; Johnson, C. 1989a: 2; Mackay, 1993b: 75; Shattuck, 1994: 58.
 * davisi. Dolichoderus mariae subsp. davisi Wheeler, W.M. 1905d: 308 (w.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of mariae: Creighton, 1950a: 334.
 * blatchleyi. Dolichoderus (Hypoclinea) mariae var. blatchleyi Wheeler, W.M. 1917i: 462 (w.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of mariae: Creighton, 1950a: 334.

Worker
Johnson (1989) - The species is basically bicolored. The mandibles, antennae, head, alitrunk, legs, and petiole are brownish-orange and the first segment of the gaster has a variable, anterior band of this lighter color. The remainder of the gaster is dark brown to black. Intensity of color varies from callow age to maturity in ants and somewhat through time for museum specimens. I have seen museum specimens of Dolichoderus over 50 years of age, however, with essentially the same color as found in recently collected material. Also color interpretation varies. Wheeler (1905a) described this species as "... yellowish blood-red, and gaster black", and also as "...bright-red and blue-black bodies".

Structurally, a fine granulation sculptures the integument of head, pro- and mesothorax, and faint depressions or foveolae also occur on the head. This sculpture is weak, leaving a superficially smooth, shining surface under low to moderate magnification. A more distinct granulation sculptures the propodeum where a network of delicate ridges enclose shallow polygon-like depressions. This sculpture is weak leaving a shining propodeum in strong light. The integument of petiole and especially the gaster is smooth and reflective. No erect hairs exist on head, scapes, or body, one of the more distinctive attributes of this species. In dorsal view, the length of the propodeum distinctly exceeds its width. The integument within the concavity of the declivous face of propodeum with a series of fine vertical ridges or striations; some specimens have a distinct, centrally-located vertical ridge. A delicate granulation within the concavity reduces reflectivity often to a near-opaque state.

Type Material
Type locality - Vineland, New Jersey.