Aphaenogaster umphreyi

This is a subterranean species that lives in sandy areas. It probably emerges only at night. On two occasions in Florida, Deyrup (2016) collected it below rotten stumps, and it is possible that this species preys on subterranean termites, which move freely through the soil of the Florida scrub and sandhill areas where umphreyi lives. There is no known way to collect umphreyi except by digging and sifting, and no nests have been discovered. A specimen was collected in a sunken bowl trap, so pitfall traps may be useful for collecting this species. It remains the least known species of Aphaenogaster in eastern North America. (Deyrup, 2016)

Identification
Aphaenogaster umphreyi is diagnosed by the spines pointing upward from propodeum and the anterior edge of pronotum above mesonotum. They are similar to Aphaenogaster fulva, but have smaller eyes and smaller hind tibial spurs. The last four antennal segments are not lighter in color. (DeMarco, 2015)

Florida
Deyrup (2016) - This species is distinguished from all other species of eastern North America by its tiny eyes, which are about the same width as the last segment of the antenna. This is a reddish brown, subterranean species that seems most closely related to Aphaenogaster fulva, but the resemblance could be superficial (Deyrup and Davis 1998).

Florida
Deyrup (2016) - This species is known only from Florida and Georgia, but might have a wider range, as it is difficult to collect. In Florida, umphreyi is known from Highlands, Marion, Alachua, Putnam, Liberty, and Okaloosa counties. It has been collected in Emanual County in Georgia.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.



Castes
The males of this species have yet to be collected.

Nomenclature

 *  umphreyi. Aphaenogaster umphreyi Deyrup & Davis, 1998: 88, fig. 1 (w.) U.S.A.

Name Derivation
Deyrup and Davis (1998) explain the species epithet umphreyi: "This species is named in honor of Dr. Gary Umphrey, in recognition of his long labors working to elucidate the taxonomy and phylogeny of the intractable A. rudis group."