Camponotus prostans

Mainly confined to the south-west and southern portions of the SWBP, but has been recorded as far afield as the Gibson Nature Reserve, well to the NE of the SWBP.

Identification
Camponotus prostans and Camponotus dryandrae are very difficult to separate on morphological characters alone. The only reliable feature is the reduced number of setae found on the venter of the head capsule in C. prostans, a feature that requires examination through a microscope. However, in the field their rich reddish- or yellowish-brown-and-black colouration separates most workers of C. dryandrae from the more sober, uniformly blackish or brown-and-black C. prostans.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  prostans. Camponotus nigriceps subsp. prostans Forel, 1910b: 72 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA. [First available use of Camponotus nigriceps subsp. obnigra var. prostans Forel, 1907h: 301; unavailable name.] Junior synonym of lividipes: Wheeler, W.M. 1933b: 23; Clark, 1934c: 71. Revived from synonymy and raised to species: Taylor, 1987: 14; McArthur & Adams, 1996: 40.

Description
Worker. Length. 6.8-10.5 mm. Smaller than the subspecies obniger coming from South Australia, quite black or brownish black with pale yellow legs; mandibles, clypeus and flagellum brownish red. Somewhat more glossy than the sub species type and with somewhat longer and richer pubescence especially on the limbs. Female. Length. 15-17 mm. Same color as the worker. Pubescence more ample than the type. Wings weak somewhat stockier in proportion than the type.The clypeus has the exact form of the type. The worker from Lion Mill has above all more upstanding hair and also much stronger spines on the legs.