Solenopsis sp. hh06 (cf. basalis, Forel, 1895

Herrera Léon Baert Wouter Dekoninck, Henri W., Causton, Charlotte E., Sevilla, Christian R., Pozo, Paola & Hendrickx, Frederik, 2020, Distribution and habitat preferences of Galápagos ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Belgian Journal of Entomology 93, pp. 1-60 : 33

Solenopsis sp. hh06 (cf. basalis )

(ANTWEB: ICCDRS0012776). ( Map 31 )

This is a rare species whose distribution outside Galápagos is unknown. Workers were collected for the first time in 2008 in the Arid Zone of Santa Cruz Island ( HERRERA et al., 2014). Solenopsis sp. hh06 is found on three islands and is similar to Solenopsis basalis Forel, 1895 from Brazil and Argentina ( HERRERA et al., 2014). The few records come from material collected in transition zones, including areas with human settlements. This species is probably also present in the agricultural area; one specimen was collected in M. esculenta . Solenopsis sp. hh06 ( cf. basalis ) is a new record of a thief ant in Galápagos. Thief ants are often found near the tunnels of nests of larger ants, of which they are presumed to steal brood or food items ( CREIGHTON, 1950; MACKAY & BRADLEIGH, 1989; PACHECO et al., 2007).

Figures

Map 31. Distribution of Solenopsis sp. hh06 (cf. basalis).