Key to Solenopsis wasmannia species complex

The following is based on: Pacheco, J.A. & Mackay, W.P. 2013. The systematics and biology of the New World thief ants of the genus Solenopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Edwin Mellen Press, Lewiston, New York. 501 pp. [[Media:Pacheco, J.A. & Mackay, W.P. 2013. The systematics and biology of the New World thief ants of the genus Solenopsis.pdf|PDF]]

This is a group of New World thief ants in the genus Solenopsis.

1

 * Eye small, with at least 2 ommatidia; clypeus of worker lacking carinae; concolorous yellow or orange; Guatemala to Argentina, Caribbean . . . . . Solenopsis succinea


 * Eye larger, ommatidia ranging from 3-18 (typically 10-12); clypeus of minor worker bicarinate; typically bicolored red with black gaster (occasionally concolorous medium to dark brown) . . . . . 2

2
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 * Major with large, coarsely punctate head, very distinct from minor workers . . . . . 3


 * Major with slightly enlarged head with fine, sparse punctures; morphologically similar to minors . . . . . 4

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 * Minor worker with 5 well developed clypeal teeth; Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina . . . . . Solenopsis wasmannii


 * Minor worker without clypeal teeth or poorly defined denticles; Brazil, Paraguay . . . . . Solenopsis iheringi

4
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 * Petiole about as long (at upper level of anterior peduncle) as height (upper level of peduncle to apex of petiole) viewed laterally; bicolored (light brown with dark brown gaster); eyes with about 3-5 ommatidia; Belize to Bolivia . . . . . Solenopsis bicolor


 * Petiole thickened and quadrate-shaped (viewed laterally), usually longer (at upper level of anterior peduncle) than high (upper level of peduncle to apex of petiole); bicolored (medium brown to dark reddish-brown, often with slightly darker gaster; eyes relatively large with greater than 10 ommatidia; Costa Rica to Venezuela, Guiana . . . . . Solenopsis altinodis