Hypoponera opaciceps (Mayr, 1887)

Hypoponera opaciceps is a small reddish-brown to blackish species with very small eyes, a densely punctate and opaque sculpture, antennal scapes that barely exceed the posterior head margin, and a nearly rectangular petiole with parallel anterior and posterior faces and a flat to weakly convex dorsal face. Hypoponera opaciceps is mostly limited to forested habitat where it nests opportunistically and forages in and around rotting logs, soil and leaf litter. The species is almost entirely blind, and is not often encountered foraging out in the open, nor is it known to recruit to food baits. The species is widely introduced across the globe (Wilson & Taylor, 1967). Interestingly, H. opaciceps produces ergatoid males. Despite being widely distributed and associated with disturbance, H. opaciceps is not considered to be a significant pest species. Hypoponera opaciceps was redescribed by Smith (1936)and Kempf (1962).