Abstract
Male pupae of Tetraponera attenuata Smith 1877 (Pseudomyrmecinae) have a pair of conspicuous bladder-like appendages originating at the posterior-interior bases of the hind leg femora, and rising upwards between the femora and the epinotum. A second, smaller pair of similar appendages is found on top of the wing articulations. In gyne and worker pupae of T attenuata such appendages are lacking. In male pupae of other species of the genus, T nitida (Smith 1860), 7' binghami (Forel 1902), and T pilosa (Smith 1858), occurring in the same area in Malaysia, no such appendages were found. The structures are similar to the appendages described from male pupae of Leptothorax (Macromischa) subditivus (Wheeler 1903) and L cf tenuisculptus Baroni Urbani 1978 (Myrmicinae). Apparently they are mere projections of the pupal cuticula, filled with exuvial fluid. As yet, no function can be assigned to any of these appendages, nor is anything known on their distribution among the Formicidae.
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