Gnamptogenys ericae

Can be found nesting in disturbed forests and coffee plantations as well as in undisturbed forests.

Identification
A member of the ericae complex (in the ericae subgroup of the sulcata species group). Mandibles subtriangular; posterior mesosomal dorsum and propodeum with longitudinal costulae, transverse sutures barely visible under certain angles of lighting; small metacoxal tooth. Body black; antennae, legs and mandibles brown to dark brown. Color in this species is relatively constant but occasional ferruginous, brown or mottled specimens will turn up. Size and shape of the petiolar node does not vary as much as in Gnamptogenys sulcata. Workers seem to always have longitudinal costulae on the propodeal declivity, though queens may have transverse costulae. (Lattke 1995)

Key to New World Gnamptogenys Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia, Guyana.

Nomenclature

 *  ericae. Ectatomma (Gnamptogenys) tornatum var. ericae Forel, 1912c: 33 (w.) COLOMBIA. Combination in Gnamptogenys: Brown, 1958g: 229. Junior synonym of tornata: Brown, 1958g: 229. Revived from synonymy, raised to species and senior synonym of bufonum: Lattke, 1995: 166.
 * bufonum. Gnamptogenys sulcatum subsp. bufonum Weber, 1938a: 208 (w.) GUYANA. Junior synonym of sulcata: Brown, 1958g: 229; of ericae: Lattke, 1995: 166.

Determination Clarifications
Much confusion has accumulated regarding the identity of this species and the similar Gnamptogenys sulcata. Many previous references to sulcata are actually ericae, but the confusion makes it quite difficult to distinguish between each reference.