Sandbox/NA Temnothorax

Most of the California species formerly placed in Leptothorax have now been assigned to Temnothorax (Bolton 2003). With at least twenty species in California, this is a diverse group showing wide variation in habitat and nest-site preferences. About a third of the species are arboreal. Most species appear to be generalist scavengers. Species identification: keys in Wheeler and Wheeler (1986g) and Mackay (2000), in conjunction with the new synonymy introduced here (see above under “Taxonomic Changes”) and images on AntWeb. Additional references: Bolton (2003), Cole (1958c), Creighton (1950a), Deyrup and Cover (2004), Douwes and Stille (1987), Möglich (1979),Smith (1949e), Wheeler (1903d).

Deyrup and Cover 2004

Abbreviated Notes on Species (Alphabetical)

L. curvispinosus. North Florida, throughout remainder of Southeast, but often rare in southern part of range. In mature hardwood forests in southern edge of range, often in brushy areas and open forest farther north. Nests are usually in hollow twigs or weed stems on ground, but may be in dead twigs or branches up to about 1 m above ground. Yellowish color and non-shining head distinguish this species from all sympatric southeastern Leptothorax, but similar to L. ambiguus Emery, which occurs to the north and can be distinguished by shorter and wider propodeal spines (see Creighton 1950). The latter species might possibly occur at higher elevations in the southern Appalachians. Attracted to sweet baits.

L. longispinosus. A northern species extending south at mid elevations in the southern Appalachians. Usually found in mesic forest or forest edges. Nests are in hollow twigs or nuts on the ground or buried in leaf litter, occasionally under bark of dead trees. Dark color combined with long, straight propodeal spines are diagnostic in the Southeast. Attracted to sweet baits; individuals of this species and some other Leptothorax spend a long time licking solid baits, but quickly fill up at liquid baits such as jelly, making them easier to trail back to the nest.

L. palustris. See comments, under discussion of the species.

L. pergandei. New Jersey through Florida, west into Nebraska and Arizona. The strongly impressed suture between the mesonotum and propodeum is diagnostic throughout its range. Usually found in open forests or forest edges, including both well-drained and poorly drained sites; has been found in salt marshes. Nests are usually in hollow twigs or nuts, usually buried in leaf litter; occasionally nests in soil. May be deep yellow, brown or black; occasionally bicolored. Readily carries shortbread crumbs back to nest.

L. schaumii. Central Florida north into southern Maine, west into Texas. An arboreal species with short spines and the head shining, the latter character state visible at low magnification in the field. Nests are usually in dead branches or under loose bark on live hardwoods or conifers, usually the former. Can be either blackish brown or yellow, sometimes bicolored. Somewhat attracted to peanut butter or jelly baits.

L. smithi. Central Florida north into the mid- Atlantic states and west into Ohio. Nests are usually in standing dead trees in open areas. In Florida usually found in pine snags. A dark reddish brown species similar in color and morphology to bradleyi, distinguished by long propodeal spines and conspicuous carinae on the sides of the mesosoma. This is the same species as L. wheeleri M. R. Smith, a name that became preoccupied when the genus Macromischa was synonymized with Leptothorax (Baroni Urbani 1978). Somewhat attracted to peanut butter or jelly baits, but the nest is seldom accessible.

L. texanus. Central Florida west to Texas, north to New Jersey. In the Southeast this species and the larger L. pergandei are the only dark, shining Leptothorax found foraging on the ground in open areas. Some southeastern queens are blackish, others a striking brick red. Nests are in soil, usually only a few inches below the surface. Often forages under a thin surface layer of litter. Can be baited with shortbread crumbs.

L. torrei. Tropical Florida and the Caribbean. This tiny yellow species with short scale-like hairs cannot be mistaken for other southeastern Leptothorax. Somewhat similar in appearance to Cardiocondyla wroughtonii (Forel), which is also yellowish with an expanded postpetiole, but the latter species has no scale-like hairs. Leptothorax torrei is usually obtained by sifting or extracting litter.

L. tuscaloosae. Known from Alabama and North Carolina; presumably occurs in the intervening states. Nests have been found at the bases of large trees in mesic hardwood forest areas (Wilson 1950). A dark brown, shiny species with pale legs and antennae, L. tuscaloosae is not likely to be confused with other southeastern Leptothorax.

images

taxabox

T. and Leptothorax

biological data

type locality to "type locality information"

references

paper search

[[File:Temnothorax xx profile 1.jpg|250px]]

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ETYMOLOGY

Descriptive

Patronym

Toponym

Commemorative

Morphological

A patronym is a scientific name created to honor a person. A toponym names a species for a place. http://www.bugs.ufl.edu/frank/kiss/kiss24.htm

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Description No Queens known for this species.

No Males known for this species.

Queens are known for this species but they have not been described.

Males are known for this species but they have not been described.

TEMPLATES

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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia

| image = Temnothorax xxxx head 1.jpg

| image_width = 200px

| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a

| binomial_authority = ''(Wheeler W.M., 1903)''

[[File:Temnothorax xxxx profile 1.jpg|200px]]

[[File:Temnothorax xxxx dorsal 1.jpg|200px]]

}}