Polyrhachis '2/4'

Polyrhachis (spiny ants) includes over 700 species. Many weave silk nests in trees using their larvae. Distributed across tropical Asia, Australia, and Africa. Identify by spine count: Pnsp, Ppsp, PEsp.

Polyrhachis 0
  • No pronotonal spines Pnsp = 0
  • Propodeal spines (Ppsp) present, body totally black matt: Polyrhachis gibba
  • Propodeal spines (Ppsp) absent, yellow legs: Polyrhachis rastellata
  • Ppsp absent, body totally black bright: Polyrhachis debilis
  • Pnsp in form of denticles
  • Propodeal spines (Ppsp) absent:
  • China
    • Polyrhachis 1.0.0
  • Pnsp well developed
    BUT
    Mnsp absent
  • PE with 4 protuberances :
    - 4 sharp spines: P. burmanensis
    - 2 true spines and 2 lateral protuberances: P. murina
  • Otherwise PEsp = 2
  • North Africa, China
    • Polyrhachis 1.0.1
  • Pnsp well developed AND Mnsp present
  • Only the head is black/dark: Polyrhachis lamellidens
  • Head & thorax are black bright: Polyrhachis bihamata
  • China, Japan