Camponotus hemichlaena

Japanese Name

Nishi-muneaka-oo-ari

Yasumatsu, K. & Brown, W.L., Jr. (1951) Revisional notes on Camponotus herculeanus LinnŽ and close relatives in the Palaearctic regions. Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University 10: 29-44.

Camponotus obscuripes hemichlaena Yasumatsu & Brown (Yasumatsu & Brown, 1951) , Camponotus hemichlaena Yasumatsu & Brown (Yasumatsu & Brown, 1957) ,

Total length of workers around 7 - 12 mm. Body bicolored: mesosoma (excluding pronotum), petiole and basal portion of 1st gastral segment red; the remainder black. Hairs on posterior section of 2nd gastral tergite not extending beyond its posterior margin.

This species is distinguished from C. obscuripes by its black pronotum (pronotum red in C. obscuripes). It was originally described as a subspecies of C. obscuripes and later raised to species rank by Yasumatsu & Brown (1957). However, since no other morphological distinctions have been observed between it and C. obscuripes, separation from obscuripes depends exclusively on coloration. Further study on its taxonomic status is needed. Both C. hemichlaena and C. obscuripes are present in Shikoku and Kyushu, with obscuripes tending to distribution at higher elevations. On Honshu, C. hemiclaena is known only from Hiroshima.

Honshu (Chugoku District), Shikoku, Kyushu, Yaku I.