Tetramorium confusum

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1977) - Amongst the known Australian species with 11-merous antennae confusum and Tetramorium capitale are the only two in which the petiole in dorsal view is distinctly transverse. In capitale, however, the petiole and postpetiole are densely punctate with a few longitudinal rugulae and the spaces between rugae on the alitrunk are densely punctate.

Apart from the type-series, good samples have also been examined from Wentworth Falls and Bulli Pass in New South Wales, and from Kuranda in Queensland. Six specimens from each of these series were measured, including the largest and smallest, and the range was found to be: HL 0.72-0.80, HW 0.66-0.74, CI 90-95, SL 0.52-0.62, SI 80-84, PW 0.52-0.56, AL 0.84-0.96. All fit the above description but the Bulli Pass and Kuranda series have a number of workers in which the gaster is yellow-brown and distinctly lighter than the colour of the head and alitrunk, and in all series the track of the promesonotal suture is by no means as distinctive as in the type-series. A number of workers from several series have more numerous cross-meshes in the dorsal alitrunk sculpture than is seen in the types.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  confusum. Tetramorium confusum Bolton, 1977: 143, fig. 63 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.4, HL 0.76, HW 0.72, CI 95, SL 0.58, SI 81, PW 0.56, AL 0.92.

Mandibles longitudinally striate; anterior margin of clypeus without a median notch or impression. Frontal carinae extending back almost to the occipital corners and forming the upper margins of the shallow and narrow scrobes. Eyes of moderate size, maximum diameter c. 0.20. Median clypeal carina strongly developed, reaching to the anterior margin. With alitrunk in profile the metanotal groove feebly impressed, in dorsal view the track of the fused promesonotal suture faintly visible as a feebly impressed, arched line. Propodeal spines short and acute, metapleural lobes elongate, narrowly triangular and acute. Petiole in profile as in Fig. 63; in dorsal view distinctly broader than long, roughly broadly transversely rectangular but somewhat broader behind than in front. Postpetiole subglobular in dorsal view. Dorsum of head with fine, spaced, irregular longitudinal rugulae, the spaces between which are shining and with a sparse superficial reticulation or vestigial puncturation. Cross-meshes between the rugulae virtually absent. Dorsal alitrunk similarly sculptured but with sharp cross-meshes on the anterior pronotum. Dorsal surfaces of petiole and post petiole smooth and shining but the former with very faint traces of sculpture at the extreme lateral edges. Gaster unsculptured. Fine erect or suberect hairs present on all dorsal surfaces of head and body but such hairs absent from the appendages where the hairs tend to be short and appressed. Colour dark brown, the appendages somewhat lighter.

Paratypes. TL 3.1-3.5, HL 0.72-0.78, HW 0.66-0.72, CI 89-95, SL 0.54-0.58, SI 78-85, PW 0.52-0.56, AL 0.86-0.94 (10 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Australia: New South Wales, Thegib, nr Bowral, 750 m, 19.xii.1962 (E. S. Ross & D. Q. Cavagnaro). Paratypes. 20 workers with same data as holotype (CASC; ; ).