Acropyga paleartica
From LaPolla (2004) [1]
Acropyga paleartica Menozzi, 1936: 298 (w.). 4 syntype workers, GREECE: T. Mili; Scarpauto (C. Menozzi) (IEGG) [examined]. The designated lectotype is a worker labeled JSL # 126 and is deposited at IEGG.
Diagnosis: Worker: Antennae 11 segmented; 6-8 uneven mandibular teeth; basal tooth offset from masticatory margin. Queen: As in worker with modifications expected for caste. Male: unknown.
References
- , “Acropyga (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the world”, Contributions of the American Entomological Institute, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 1-130, 2004.
From LaPolla (2004) [1]
Worker. Head (fig. 32A): yellow; covered by a layer of short appressed hairs; head distinctly longer than broad; posterior margin entire; 11 segmented, incrassate antennae; apical segment about as long as preceding four segments; scape reaches posterior margin to slightly failing to reach posterior margin; clypeus medially convex, with longer erect hairs on surface; mandible with 6-8 uneven teeth; basal tooth typically offset from masticatory margin; inner mandibular margin nearly parallel with anterior clypeal margin. Mesosoma (fig. 32B): yellow; entire mesosoma covered in layer of short appressed hairs; in lateral view, pronotum rounded broadly toward mesonotum; mesonotum flat, at about same level as propodeum; metanotal area often distinct; propodeum dorsum flat; declivity steep. Gaster: yellow; covered in a layer of short appressed hairs, with scattered, longer erect hairs throughout.
Queen. As in worker with modifications expected for caste.
Male. Unknown, but see below
Measurements: Workers (n=4): TL: - ; HW: 0.462-0.496; HL: 0.549-0.574; SL: 0.441-0.556; ML: 0.47-0.532; GL: - ; CI: 81.18-87.48; SI: 88.91-119.31. Queen (n=1): TL: 2.77; HW: 0.577; HL: 0.591; SL: 0.515; ML: 0.952; GL: 1.23; CI: 97.63; SI: 89.25.
From LaPolla (2006) [2]
Male Head: brownish-yellow becoming darker around three prominent ocelli; head slightly longer than broad; covered in a layer of short, appressed hairs; eyes large, taking up most of lateral sides of head; 12-segmented, incrassate antennae; apical segment about as long as segments 2 - 5 combin d; scape long, surpassing by about length of 1st funicular segment; clypeus broad, slightly convex, with many short erect hairs on surface; mandible broad, with 6 - 8 uneven teeth; apical tooth about 3 × longer than other teeth; 4th and 6th (teeth counted with apical as 1st) also longer than other teeth (about 1 / 2 × longer); basal teeth set slightly back from masticatory margin.
Mesosoma and gaster: yellow to brownish-yellow; pronotum collar-like with rounded mesonotum overarching; covered in thick layer of appressed hairs; mesonotum higher than propodeum; declivity slopes (c. 45 º) toward petiole; petiole short and erect not reaching the height of the propodeum; gaster yellow to brownish-yellow, covered in dense layer of appressed hairs.
Genitalia (Figs. 1 - 4): in lateral view, parameres rounded to pointed apices, sparsely covered in erect hairs; cuspi
shorter than digiti; cuspi with peg-like teeth at apices; digiti with peg-like teeth placed laterally and toward apex; penis valves roughly triangular, with poorly defined teeth ventrally.
Measurements (n = 2): TL: 2.14; HW: 0.423 - 0.501; HL: 0.470 - 0.548; SL: 0.439 - 0.470; ML: 0.782 - 0.923; GL: 0.892 - 0.939; CI: 90 - 91; SI: 94 - 104.
References
- , “Acropyga (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the world”, Contributions of the American Entomological Institute, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 1-130, 2004.
- , “Description of the male of Acropyga paleartica Menozzi, 1936 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)”, Myrmecologische Nachrichten, vol. 8, pp. 171-173, 2006.
From LaPolla (2004) [1]
It has been found in pine forests. This species has been observed in mating swarms in the afternoon, though actual mating was observed by Buschinger et al. (1987) to take place on the tops of rocks, on which both queens and males crawled. Queens were observed to crawl into the soil after dealation. It is a known trophophoretic species associated with E. corinthiacus.
References
- , “Acropyga (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the world”, Contributions of the American Entomological Institute, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 1-130, 2004.
A. arnoldi and A. silvestrii
From LaPolla (2004) [1]
This species is the only Acropyga known to occur in the Mediterranean area. It also has one of the most northerly distributions of any Acropyga species.
Endemic to Greece
References
- , “Acropyga (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the world”, Contributions of the American Entomological Institute, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 1-130, 2004.