Huberia brounii Forel 1895

Compiled by Warwick Don & Richard Harris 2005

Biostatus: Endemic

Classification

Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Formicinae
Tribe:	Myrmicini
Genus:	Huberia
Species:	brounii

Common name(s)

None

Synonyms

None

Origin

Regarded as endemic to New Zealand. Together with H. striata belongs to New Zealand’s only endemic genus of ants.

Distribution

Widespread in native forests throughout both main islands.

General Description

Identification

Features of the genus are: antennae 11-segmented with a weakly 4-segmented club; clypeus with a median longitudinal groove; propodeum armed with a pair of sharp spines; areas of striation (fine lines) on the head and mesosoma; gaster smooth and shining.

Diagnostic features of the worker

Length 3.2-3.5 mm; deeply impressed metanotal groove; colour of body rusty to deep brown, legs and antennae more yellowish.

[Huberia brounii] head. Image: Wade Lee (Specimen code: CASENT0923012). www.antweb.org Image — Huberia brounii head. Image: Wade Lee (Specimen code: CASENT0923012). www.antweb.org

Huberia brounii profile. Image: Wade Lee (Specimen code: CASENT0923012). www.antweb.org

[Huberia brounii] dorsal view. Image: Wade Lee (Specimen code: CASENT0923012). www.antweb.org Image — Huberia brounii dorsal view. Image: Wade Lee (Specimen code: CASENT0923012). www.antweb.org

Biology

Poorly known. Brown (1958a) observes that H. brounii resembles in general habitus, though not in its large convex eyes, the species of Stenamma found in the woodlands of the Northern Hemisphere. He speculates on the possibility of brounii feeding “like its northern analogues .... on small arthropods in the soil cover.” Colonies in the leaf litter are small and seldom seen. Specimens turn up frequently in litter and moss samples, and occasionally in pitfall traps.

Pest Status

Impacts not known, but considered unlikely to be a pest.