Strumigenys filirrhina (Brown)

Subfamily MYRMICINAE Tribe ATTINI Strumigenys filirrhina (Brown) 1950


**Strumigenys filirrhina, full face view of worker (click photo to enlarge).**	**Strumigenys filirrhina, side view of worker (click photo to enlarge).**

**Strumigenys filirrhina, label data**	**Strumigenys filirrhina, dorsal view of worker (click photo to enlarge).**
Introduction Strumigenys is a monophyletic genus of dacetine ants that includes over 900 species worldwide (Bolton 2013). Forty-eight described species of Strumigenys have been reported from the US (Bolton 2013), but this genus is most speciose in the Southeast where at least 43 species are known to occur. In the US, members of the genus Strumigenys can easily be distinguished from other genera by their minute size; 4-6 segmented antennae; elongate, snapping mandibles; unique and often "bizarre" pilosity, and presence of "spongiform lobes" beneath the petiole and postpetiole (Bolton 1999). Strumigenys filirrhina is a rarely collected species in the clypeata group. Taxonomic History (provided by Barry Bolton, 2013) Smithistruma (Smithistruma) filirrhina Brown, 1950; Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999; in Strumigenys, Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007. Identification TL 2.0–2.2, HL 0.56–0.58, HW 0.38–0.40, CI 67–69, ML 0.08–0.09, SL 0.27–0.29, PW 0.24–0.26, WL 0.52–0.55 (measurements and description from Bolton (2000)).Mandibles triangular, serially dentate from clypeal border; following a triangular basal lamella, dentition of principal tooth row with 5 sharp triangular teeth, of which tooth 3 is the longest, then two small teeth, four denticles, and a small apical tooth. Leading edge of scape with setae that all curve toward apex of scape. Clypeus bimarginate around anterior and lateral borders (as seen in full-face view) with upper and lower margins; lower margin projects out beyond the upper margin, the area between the margins with a concave groove. Propodeum with triangular teeth with lamella on each side. Spongiform appendages well developed on dorsum and ventral portions of petiole and postpetiole; first gastral tergite with narrow band of weak spongiform tissue present basally. Setae on anterior and lateral clypeal margins fine, filiform with at least the pair closest to midline (and sometimes others) curving slightly away from midline. Clypeal dorsum in profile with a pair of very long erect flagellate setae arising in front of antennal socket. Dorsolateral margin of head with 2–3 pairs of flagellate setae. Pair of flagellate setae on near occipital margin, a pair on pronotal dorsum, and a pair on mesonotum. General pilosity of head very fine, elongate, and curved to midline of head; pronotal setae similarly simple to narrowly spatulate; mesosomal dorsum, first gastral tergite, and outer surface of hind basitarsus with flagellate setae. Clypeal dorsum smooth, dorsum of head behind clypeus reticulate-punctate; pleurae, side of propodeum, and postpetiole disc smooth, remainder of mesosoma and petiole disc with reticulate-punctate sculpture; first gastral tergite with striae basally, then becoming smooth. Strumigenys filirrhina is most similar to S. bimarginata from which it differs by having flagellate setae in front of antennal sockets, on dorsolateral margins of head, and cephalic dorsum and by its ground pilosity being simple instead of clearly flattened or split at apices of setae. Biology and Economic Importance As with most dacetine ants, little is known about its biology. Due to its minute size, cryptic habits, and rarity of collection, this species would pose no discernible affect upon man. Distribution GA, MO, MS, NC (Bolton 2000; GA collection by D. Booher) Literature Cited Baroni Urbani, C. and De Andrade, M. L. 2007. The ant tribe Dacetini: limits and constituent genera, with descriptions of new species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale "Giacomo Doria" 99:1-191. Bolton, B. 1999. Ant genera of the tribe Dacetonini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Jour. Nat. Hist. 33: 1639-1689. Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Mem. American Entomol. Inst. 65:1-1028. Bolton, B. 2013. Bolton World Catalog Ants. Available online: http://www.antweb.org/world.jsp. Accessed 16 April 2013. Brown, W. L. 1950. Preliminary description of seven new species of the dacetine ant genus Smithistruma Brown. Transactions of the American Entomological Society76: 37-45. Links AntWeb Images Discover Life Images