Rhytidoponera metallica (Fr. smith 1858)
In this section
-
Ants of New Zealand
- Amblyopone australis
- Austroponera castanea
- Austroponera castaneicolor
- Cardiocondyla minutior
- Chelaner antarcticus
- Chelaner smithii
- Discothyrea antarctica
- Doleromyrma darwiniana
- Fulakora saundersi
- Heteroponera brouni
- Huberia brounii
- Huberia striata
- Hypoponera eduardi
- Hypoponera punctatissima
- Iridomyrmex undescribed
- Linepithema humile
- Mayriella abstinens
- Monomorium antipodum
- Monomorium floricola
- Monomorium pharaonis
- Monomorium sydneyense
- Nylanderia spp
- Ochetellus glaber
- Orectognathus antennatus
- Pheidole megacephala
- Pheidole proxima
- Pheidole rugosula
- Pheidole vigilans
- Ponera leae
- Prolasius advena
- Rhytidoponera chalybaea
- Rhytidoponera metallica
- Strumigenys perplexa
- Strumigenys xenos
- Technomyrmex jocosus
- Tetramorium bicarinatum
- Tetramorium grassii
- References
Classification
Family: | Formicidae |
Subfamily: | Ectatomminae |
Tribe: | Melophorini |
Genus: | Rhytidoponera |
Species: | metallica |
Common name(s)
Metallic pony ants (Andersen 2002)
Synonyms (WWW5)
Chalcoponera pulchra Clark, Ponera metallica Smith, Rhytidoponera (Chalcoponera) caeciliae Viehmeyer, Rhytidoponera (Chalcoponera) metallica var. purpurascens Wheeler, Rhytidoponera (Chalcoponera) metallica var. varians Crawley
Origin
Rhytidoponera is a large genus with 104 described species, 76 of which occur in Australia (Shattuck 1999). One species is definitely established in New Zealand, R. chalybaea , a recent arrival from Australia. Intercepted on several occasions (associated with imported poles and sawn timber), this species probably became established here during the 1950s. A second species, R. metallica , is probably established, with several recent collections in Napier.
Distribution
R. metallica is likely to be established in Napier, at least temporarily, with recent collections there in 2001 and 2003 (PANZ) well away from the port. Earlier collections were made in Penrose, Auckland (1958; NZAC), again in Penrose in 1959 (Taylor 1961), and in Mt Manganui (1961; FRI), but no further specimens have been encountered at these locations.
General Description
Identification
The genus Rhytidoponera is distinguished by means of a tooth on the leading edge of the pronotum, pointing downward just above the front legs. The node of the petiole has distinct front, top and rear faces. The tips of the tibiae of the hind legs each have either a single small, simple comb-like spur, or two spurs, one large and comb-like and one small and simple.
Diagnostic features of the worker
Length about 6.5 mm; mesosomal profile is evenly convex (cf. chalybaea ); the subpetiolar spine has a broad base, which has an "angled"/bluntly pointed posterior profile (P. Holder, NPPRL); has a metallic green appearance.
Biology
In Australia, R. metallica lives mainly in moderately wooded or open areas. It is even abundant in lawns and gardens in some cities. Taylor (1961) notes it "constructs small, rather loosely integrated nests, usually among grass roots or beneath logs or stones." This species, Taylor observes, forages during the day on a wide variety of insects and other small arthropods.