rugosus group overview

This group is composed of two species, Temnothorax parralensis sp. nov. and T. rugosus, which are found at mid-to-high elevations in the southern United States to central Mexico (Fig. 150). Members of this group have been collected from dead branches on live trees, mostly Quercus spp. The species of the rugosus group, with their arboreal nests, large size, coarse sculpturing, and somewhat incrassate femora, are very similar in habitus to the annexus group, but differ from them by their relatively short propodeal spines and shape of their petiolar nodes (cuneiform to truncate).