Observations on the Genus Terataner in Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Terataner species in Madagascar are very different from those in West Africa. West African Terataner are arboreal and have normal, alate queens. In Madagascar, colonies nest in plant cavities near the ground, and reproduction is by means of ergatoid queens that are very similar to workers. Workers forage for live insect prey, and often group raid the nests of ants and termites. Males are morphologically unusual and are rare. This is the first report of ergatoid queens in the genus Terataner. © 1992, Hindawi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.