The Ant Larvae of the Subfamily Myrmicinae

Abstract

This article serves as the introduction and the conclusion to the authors' studies on the larvae of the Myrmicinae which have appeared in 17 articles in 7 periodicals during the past quarter-century, and which have treated of 202 species in 73 genera, representing 18 of the 21 tribes. The larvae of the Myrmicinae are so heterogeneous that no characterization can be given for the subfamily as a whole. As with their respective adults, larvae of some genera have retained a rather unspecialized structure and others are among the most specialized ant larvae, while the majority fall between these two extremes. Beyond this, there is little concordance between adult taxonomy and larval “taxonomy.” Six of the tribes were inadequately represented in the material available, six could be characterized with some degree of satisfaction, and six could not be characterized at all. Despite some discordances at the generic level, the genus was found to be the most suitable unit for classifying ant larvae. Body shape (especially profile) was found the safest character for separating genera, with mandible shape second, and anchor-tipped hairs third. The profiles of myrmicine larvae were generalized into 22 types, and mandible shapes into 30 types, all of which are described and illustrated. A key to some 55 genera is based on larval profile, mandible shape, anchor-tipped hairs, and certain minor characters. The hypothetical larva of the hypothetical ancestor of the subfamily is described; the larva of Pogonomyrmex approximates this description most closely. The most specialized larvae are those of the Attini (fungus-growers) and the Crematogastrini.