Phasmomyrmex

Phantom Carpenter Ants

Overview of Genus. Hita Garcia, Wiesel and Fischer (2013) - "Phasmomyrmex is a very species-poor subgenus with only four species. All are found in the Afrotropical region (Bolton, 2012). The species were described independently from each other in different genera. Their respective generic affiliations remained unstable until they were finally considered to be congeneric (Bolton, 1995, 2003). Despite the small number of species and known specimens a modern taxonomic treatment is still lacking. Biological details of Phasmomyrmex is very limited but they do appear to be arboreal."

Diagnosis. Emery (1925). - "Worker. - Without caste dimorphism; size variable. Head rectangular or trapezoidal; eyes placed at midlength of lateral head margins. Clypeus flat, without median carina, and without anterior lobe, anterior clypeal margin entire or notched in medially. Mesosoma with more-or-less shouldered pronotum; metanotum occupying considerable space dorsally, bounded by sutures anteriorly and posteriorly, metanotal spriacles placed below border which delimits dorsal metanotal surface; propodeum truncate or concave posteriorly. Petiolar scale thick, angular or spiny dorsolaterally. Gaster as in Camponotus. Queen. - Head as in worker. Mesosoma depressed; mesoscutum only slightly produced over pronotum, and mesoscutellum produced over metanotum and propodeum. Wings as in Camponotus. Male. - Unknown.

Geographical Distribution of Species. - Tropical West Africa."

(Translation and editing by B. E. Boudinot, 19 February 2017.)

Phasmomyrmex is currently a subgenus of Camponotus.

Nomenclature

 *  PHASMOMYRMEX [Formicinae: Camponotini]
 * Phasmomyrmex Stitz, 1910: 146. Type-species: Phasmomyrmex sericeus (junior synonym of Camponotus buchneri), by monotypy.
 * Phasmomyrmex subgenus of Camponotus: Forel, 1912i: 90.
 * Phasmomyrmex revived status as genus: Emery, 1920b: 252; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 701.
 * Current subgenera of Phasmomyrmex: nominal plus  Myrmacantha, Myrmorhachis.