Vollenhovia benzai

Japanese Name

Tatenashi-umematsu-ari

Terayama, M. & Kinomura, K. (1998) Taxonomic studies of Japanese Formicidae, part 3. Genus Vollenhovia Mayr. Nature and Human Activities 2: 1-8.

Total length of workers around 2.5 mm. Body color yellowish brown to reddish brown; legs lighter. Head width/head length ratio 0.83. Mandibles each with 6 teeth. Posterolateral corners of propodeum rounded, lacking processes. Subpetiolar process the least developed among Japanese Vollenhovia species; its height about 0.03 mm. Postpetiolar dorsum semicircular in profile. Head, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole shagreened, the sculpturing weaker on postpetiole than petiole; gaster and legs smooth. Head and promesonotal dorsum with longitudinal rugae.

This species is polygynous. It nests in decaying wood or in the soil in forests. Wingless ergatoid females are known from the Amami-oshima Island population, in which normal winged females are also present. Further studies are needed to clarify their possible taxonomic implications and biological significance.

Shikoku, Kyushu, Yaku I., Nansei Is(Okinoerabu I. and northwards).