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subfamily
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Dolichoderinae
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Japanese Name
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Kata-ari-aka
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Description
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In workers: eyes usually developed but ocelli almost always absent. Antennae mostly 12-segmented, rarely with 10- or 11-segments. Promesonotal suture and metanotal groove more or less distinct. Spinose structures developed on pronotum and/or propodeum in some foreign taxa but not in Japanese species. Abdominal pedicel one-segmented; the petiole varying in shape from nodiform to scale-like or tubular; when nodiform it lacks a differentiated anterior peduncle, but sometimes has an apical process; tubular petioles are often overhung by the gaster and thus obscured in dorsal view. The second gastral segment is not tubulate as in ponerine ants, and lacks a girdling secondary constriction. Terminal portion of gaster with a slit-like opening which lacks a fringe of hairs; sting vestigial, very reduced, and not externally visible. Females usually larger than workers, with well-developed eyes, three ocelli, a large complexly subdivided mesosoma and large gaster. Males similar to females, but the shape of the petiole generally more rounded; cerci developed in some genera (e.g. Dolichoderus, Tapinoma, Liometopum). Forewing venation usually including 2 submarginal cells, and often with a 1st discoidal cell. Ergatoid males are present in a few species, as in Technomyrmex albipes. Larvae specialized for feeding on liquid food materials. Pupal cocoons absent.
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Remarks
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Worldwide the subfamily Dolichoderinae comprises over 250 species in 22 genera, mostly found in the tropics and subtropics. The constituent genera were revised by Shattuck (1992). Workers are mostly epigaeic and nest generally in the soil or under stones or dead wood. Some species are arboreal, nesting in hollow twigs or under the bark of standing trees. Species of some genera, such as Iridomyrmex, Technomyrmex, Tapinoma and Azteca, have specific biological relationships with certain plants, especially in utilizing their cavities as nest sites. Colonies are mostly moderate in size, but sometimes very large. Most species are omnivorous, but many also attend homoptera for their honeydew. Some species in Iridomyrmex, Tapinoma and Azteca infest crops, either directly, or indirectly by tending and defending homopterous pests, and have been nominated as agricultural pests. "A List of the Ants of Japan with Common Japanese Names" (Myrmecological Society of Japan Editorial Committee, 1988) nominated 7 Japanese dolichoderine species assigned to 4 genera. Two species were listed as "undetermined", but later examination has shown the relevant voucher specimens to be conspecific, so that 6 species in 4 genera are now recognized.
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Editor
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Original text by Mamoru Terayama. English translation by Kazuo Ogata, edited by Robert W. Taylor.
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