Nylanderia flavipes ( Smith, 1874 )

Guénard, Benoit, 2023, A checklist of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) from Hong Kong and Macao SARs, with an illustrated identification key for species in Southeast China and Taiwan, Zootaxa 5301 (5), pp. 501-539 : 519-520

Nylanderia flavipes ( Smith, 1874)

( Figure 16 ; Figure 25.E )

Tapinoma flavipes Smith, 1874: 404 , Japan.

In Prenolepis: Mayr, 1886: 362 .; in Prenolepis (Nylanderia) : Emery, 1910: 132.; in Paratrechina (Nylanderia) : Emery, 1925: 220; in Nylanderia: LaPolla et al., 2010: 127 .

Diagnosis. Nylanderia flavipes can be distinguished from other species of Nylanderia from Southeast China by the combination of mesonotum with sparse appressed setae, dorsum of head with abundant pubescence, eyes relatively large (MaI 50.6–56.1; REL 27.7–28.5) with 10 to 12 ommatidia in the longest row, yellow to light brown macrosetae at least in the mesosoma, pronotum with 6 to 8 erect macrosetae (PMC 3–4), and mesonotum with 6 to 8 erect macrosetae (MMC 3–4).

Measurements (n = 3 workers). ClL 0.134–0.15; ClW 0.378 –0.394; HL 0.605 –0.623; HW 0.514 –0.545; EL 0.17–0.173; MaD 0.086 –0.097; IoD 0.321 –0.331; SL 0.669 –0.718; ML 0.776–0.81; PrL 0.252 –0.282; PrW 0.385 – 0.406; PrFL 0.533 –0.577; MeL 0.176 –0.216; MeW 0.205 –0.222; PrpL 0.154–0.16; PrpH 0.287 –0.318; PrpW 0.284 –0.292; PL 0.204 –0.238; Ab3L 0.318 –0.388; TL 2–2.1; PMC 3–4; MMC 3–4; CI 83.8–87.5; DNI 50.5–57.1; IoI 60.8–62.5; OI 31.8–33.3; SI 129.2–134.5; REL 27.7–28.5; MaI 50.6–56.1.

Compare with: N. indica , N. IBBL-01, N. ryukyuensis , N. sharpii , N. taylori , N. vividula .

Morphology. Similar to N. sharpii , specimens belonging to N. flavipes have relatively large eyes (MaI 50.6– 56.1; REL 27.7–28.5), with 10 to 12 ommatidia in the longest row, sparse pubescence on the mesonotum, and abundant pubescence on the dorsum of the head. The most important difference between both species is the color of the macrosetae, which is darker in N. sharpii and lighter in N. flavipes . See Morphology in N. sharpii for a discussion on the identity of both species. In other regions (more specifically Japan), N. flavipes is more similar to N. ryukyuensis , although the former has a lighter mesosoma compared to the latter ( Terayama 1999). Additionally, the ocelli are present in N. flavipes ( Kallal & LaPolla 2012) , while in N. ryukyuensis they are extremely reduced or completely absent.

Ecology. According to Onoyama et al. (2003), this species nests in leaf litter, rotting wood, and soil in grasslands and forests, feeding on nectar and small dead animals. Based on specimens sampled in this study, N. flavipes is mostly restricted to lowlands (i.e., between 2 m and 30 m a.s.l.). This species also establishes colonies with more than one nest by budding ( Ichinose 1986), with some of those budded nests becoming independent in summer, with the majority merging with other nests in autumn ( Ichinose 1987).

Distribution. This species is widely distributed in South and Southeast Asia and is introduced mostly to the Northeastern United States ( Trager 1984; Ivanov & Milligan 2008), the Caucasus region, Iran and Europe where outdoor populations are not established in the latter ( Wetterer 2011; Janicki et al. 2016).

Examined material. Image of the lectotype worker from Hiogo, Japan (CASENT0903130) deposited in NHMUK, London, United Kingdom. Hong Kong: (1 worker) Yuen Long : Mai Po, 22.48794 114.04089 ±500 m, elevation 6 m, 13.vii.2016, M. Pierce col. (#Ba-IAS-15-01-08); (1 worker) Yuen Long , Lok Ma Chau, 22.51384 114.06326 ±10 m, elevation 6 m, 7.x.2016, M. Pierce col. (#IAS-0134); (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.51127 114.06598 ±10 m, elevation 5 m, 7.x.2016, M. Pierce col. (#IAS-0111); (1 worker) Islands : Disneyland, 22.31825 114.04195 ±10 m, elevation 25 m, 28.ix.2016, M. Pierce col. (#IAS-0089); (1 worker) Shek Kong , Chuck Farm, 22.41901397 114.079119, elevation 26 m, 22–29.ix.2021, Malaise, A. Ibañez col. (CF1M1); (1 worker) Tuen Mun , Pillar Point Sewage Station, 22.36561 113.94457, elevation 2 m, 25-02.vi–vii.2021, Malaise, A. Ibañez col. (PP2M1); (1 worker) Tuen Mun , Tuen Mun Park, 22.39179 113.97412, elevation 16m, 13.vii.2021, M.T. Hamer col [ IBBL] .

Figures

FIGURE 16. Nylanderia flavipes. A: Lateral view of the whole body; B: Dorsal view of the head; C: Dorsal view of the whole body.

FIGURE 25. Distribution maps for seven of the thirteen Nylanderia species recorded for Hong Kong. A: Nylanderia amia; B: Nylanderia birmana; C: Nylanderia emmae; D: Nylanderia flaviabdominis; E: Nylanderia flavipes; F: Nylanderia IBBL-01; G: Nylanderia IBBL-02.