Polyrhachis (Myrmhopla) barnardi Clark, 1928

Clark, J., 1930, New Formicidae, with notes on some little-known species., Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 43, pp. 2-25 : -

Polyrhachis (Myrmhopla) barnardi Clark .

Journ. Roy. Soc. W. Aust., xv, p. 39, pl. i, figs. 37-38. 1923.

Female.-Length, 14-5-15 mm. Not previously described.

Resembles the worker, but is much larger and more robust. The colour, sculpture and pilosity are identical. The spines of the pronotum, epinotum and node are shorter and thicker. On the mesonotum there is a sharp longitudinal carina in the middle of the anterior half, effaced behind. A strong carina on each side takes the place of parapsidal furrows. The posterior border finely, but sharply, margined, with a sharp tooth-like corner at the junction with the lateral carina. Wings hyaline, with a smoky tinge.

Habitat.-North Queensland: Cape York (W. B. Barnard).

Since the worker was described I have received further.examples of this species from Mr. Barnard, including the female, also examples of P. clotho Forel . The latter is very distinct from P. barnardi having a differently shaped head and node. The formation of the thorax is somewhat similar. In P. clotho the head is almost as broad as long, and broadly rounded behind. The spines of the epinotum are more widely separated and raised at a very slight angle. The node is higher in front than behind, more like that of P. trapezoidea Mayr . The pilosity is similar to that of P. glabrinotum , described above.