Polyrhachis muelleri

A widely ranging forest species that forms silk nests on the underside of leaves.

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis hector species group.

Distribution
Kohout (2008) - Polyrhachis muelleri is a widespread species recorded from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra and Java.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore. Oriental Region: Thailand.

Biology
The fairly transparent silk-woven nest of about 10 cm in length is situated beneath a leaf of a ginger plant about 2 m above ground, in a primary rainforest. Larvae and pupae appear greenish; only the adult ants are black and thus well visible against the sunlight.

The biology of P. muelleri was described in detail by Dorow et al. (1990).

Nomenclature

 *  muelleri. Polyrhachis muelleri Forel, 1893c: 32 (w.) SINGAPORE. Forel, 1901d: 302 (q.m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1990b: 754 (l.). Combination in P. (Myrmhopla): Emery, 1925b: 193.

Type Material
Kohout (2008) - Syntype workers. SINGAPORE (A. Müller), (examined).