Strumigenys habropilosa

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the smythiesii complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group. At first glance the two Indian species habropilosa and Strumigenys hypoturba form an unlikely pair as they have very different sculpture and ground-pilosity. However, both species have the following in common within the bounds of the species group and the smythiesii-complex: relatively short mandibles; a freely laterally projecting flagellate hair close to the occipital corner (posterior to the apicoscrobal hair); a row of long fine anteriorly-curved simple standing hairs along the occipital margin but no standing hairs anterior to this; numerous standing hairs on promesonotum. Separation of the two is simple, see key characters and details of descriptions.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  habropilosa. Strumigenys habropilosa Bolton, 2000: 807 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.2, HL 0.62, HW 0.48, CI 77, ML 0.21, MI 34, SL 0.29, SI 60, PW 0.30, AL 0.62. Characters of smythiesii-complex. Apicoscrobal hair flagellate; dorsolateral margin of head with a second flagellate hair posterior to this, close to occipital corner; fringing pilosity of dorsolateral margin otherwise of very dense curved hairs throughout, these hairs are simple, long or very long, soft and fine. Cephalic dorsum shagreenate-rugulose, not evenly reticulate-punctate. In profile cephalic dorsum densely clothed with simple long soft fine ground-pilosity; occipital margin with a transverse row of 6-8 long fine simple standing hairs that are curved anteriorly, dorsum anterior to this with only ground-pilosity, without standing hairs. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate. Promesonotal dorsum reticulate-shagreenate. Pronotum and mesonotum each with 2-3 pairs of fine simple erect hairs, each also with shorter simple standing ground-pilosity. Middle and hind femora and tibiae each with 1-2 erect fine hairs on its dorsal (outer) surface. Waist segments and gaster with long fine standing hairs that are simple to subflagellate. Lateral spongiform lobe of petiole in profile subovate and high on side, located posteriorly on node, its anterior margin at about the midlength of the node. Dorsum of petiole node broader than long, disc of postpetiole smooth.

Type Material
Holotype worker, India: Madras, Nilgiri, 15 km. E Coonoor, 900 m., 19.xi.1972, no. 37 (Besuchet, Lobl & Mussard).