Strumigenys ludia group

Strumigenys ludia group Bolton (2000)

Worker Diagnosis
Apical fork of mandible with a single intercalary tooth. Mandible either completely lacking preapical dentition, or with a small preapical tooth that is close to the apicodorsal tooth, or merely with a minute proximal denticle present; preapical dentition may be asymmetrical (see under idiogenes). MI 55-75.

Leading edge of scape with a continuous row of narrowly spatulate hairs that are all curved toward the apex of the scape. Scape subcylindrical or slightly compressed, SI 72-100.

Ventrolateral margin of head not or very shallowly concave in front of eye. Postbuccal groove obsolete, very shallow.

Propodeum with a pair of narrow spines subtended by a narrow lamella on the declivity; without a sharp tooth or spine at base of declivity.

Ventral surface of petiole without spongiform tissue but an extremely fine cuticular carina may be present. Lateral spongiform lobes of petiole and postpetiole small, hardly more than weak expansions at the apices of the respective posterior collars; ventral lobe of postpetiole larger and distinct. Base of first gastral sternite with a narrow to vestigial spongiform pad.

Pilosity. Pronotal humeral hair present, simple or flagellate. Ground-pilosity of head and alitrunk of small spatulate hairs. Longer pilosity varying with species but apicoscrobal hair present and first gastral tergite with numerous curved stout hairs that are remiform or flattened apically; gaster without flagellate hairs.

Sculpture. Head and alitrunk reticulate-punctate, including mesopleuron and metapleuron; with or without overlying rugulae on head and promesonotum. Disc of postpetiole sculptured and first gastral tergite mostly to wholly sculptured.