Strumigenys rogeri
Strumigenys rogeri is a minute reddish species with a triangular head, linear mandibles, six-segmented antennae with a two-segmented antennal club, antennal scrobes, spongiform appendages on the waist, and spatulate hairs on the dorsal surfaces of the waist and gaster. Like all myrmicines, S. rogeri also has a two-segmented waist and a gaster armed with a sting. Strumigenys rogeri is believed to be native to Africa, and is not known to cause significant damage to ecological or agricultural system, and is mostly restricted the forests. It is a relatively rare ant, despite its widespread distribution. The species is most commonly collected from forest leaf litter and is rarely seen foraging on the surface. Furthermore, S. rogeri does not typically recruit to baits or food resources.
Not considered a significant pest species.
Diagnosis of worker among Antkey species. Head shape triangular. Antenna 6-sgemented. Antennal club 2-segmented. Antennal scapes not conspicuously short; easily extended beyond eye level. Antennal insertions at least partly covered by frontal lobes. Eyes medium to large (greater than 5 facets); situated on lower margin of scrobe. Frontal lobes do not obscure face outline between mandible and eye. Posterolateral corners of head unarmed, without spines. Head with ventral notch anterior to eyes. Mandibles linear; armed with apical fork and 2 preapical teeth. Pronotal spines absent. Propodeum armed with spines or teeth. Waist 2-segmented. Postpetiole with distinct spongiform. Hairs on petiole, postpetiole and gaster spatulate. Appressed circular hairs do not cover face, mesosoma and waist segments.
Strumigenys rogeri can be separated from other introduced and commonly intercepted Strumigenys species by the following combination of characters: (1) mandibles linear; (2) mandibles with apical fork and 2 preapical teeth; (3) head with ventral notch anterior to eyes; (4) hairs on petiole, postpetiole and gaster spatulate. Among all introduced and commonly intercepted Strumigenys species, S. rogeri is the only one with 2 preapical teeth and a ventral notch anterior to the eyes.
Native range. Africa.