Nanoplebeia, Engel

Simplified Key to Species of Nanoplebeia

(worker caste)

1. Body largely black to light brown, sometimes with extensive yellow or yellowish orange on pleura, legs, and metasoma ( e.g., Figs. 1–3 View Figures 1–3 , 11, 13–17 View Figures 11–14 View Figures 15–17 ) .................. 2

—. Body entirely yellowish orange to orange ( e.g., Figs. 5 View Figures 4–7 , 12 View Figures 11–14 ) .................................... ...................................................................................................... P. ( N.) franki (Friese)

2(1). Mesepisternum, metepisternum, and propodeum brown to black ( e.g., Figs. 2, 3 View Figures 1–3 ); metasoma brown to black; legs variable but never wholly yellowish orange to orange ...................................................................................................................... 3

—. Mesepisternum, metepisternum, and propodeal lateral surface with extensive yellow to yellowish-orange ( Fig. 1 View Figures 1–3 ); legs and metasoma wholly yellowish orange to orange ( Fig. 1 View Figures 1–3 ) ........................................................ P. ( N.) margaritae Moure View in CoL

3(2). Mesoscutellum with whitish to yellowish maculation restricted to medioapical margin ( Figs. 13–15, 17 View Figures 11–14 View Figures 15–17 ); basal area of propodeum microreticulate, sometimes faintly so ...................................................................................................................... 4

—. Mesoscutellum with maculation extending along entire margin, meeting axillae laterally ( Fig. 16 View Figures 15–17 ); basal area of propodeum smooth ......... P. ( N.) pleres , n. sp.

4(3). Yellow maculation in paraocular area strong and distinct, clearly extending upward along inner orbit above tangent of antennal toruli upper margins ( Figs. 6, 7 View Figures 4–7 , 10 View Figures 8–10 ) ............................................................................................................................. 5

—. Yellow maculation in paraocular area fainter, disappearing at tangent of antennal toruli upper margins ( Fig. 8 View Figures 8–10 ) ............................................ P. ( N.) asthenes , n. sp.

5(4). Punctures on frons comparatively coarse ( Figs. 6 View Figures 4–7 , 10 View Figures 8–10 ); mesosomal maculation white to pale yellow ( Figs. 13 View Figures 11–14 , 17 View Figures 15–17 ); mesosomal punctures more distinct ( Figs. 13 View Figures 11–14 , 17 View Figures 15–17 ); fine, short, mesoscutal setae largely 0.75–1.0× width of mesoscutal lateral yellow stripe ( Figs. 13 View Figures 11–14 , 17 View Figures 15–17 ) ......................................................................................... 6

—. Punctures on frons comparatively fine ( Fig. 7 View Figures 4–7 ); mesosomal maculation typically lemon yellow ( Fig. 14 View Figures 11–14 ); mesoscutal punctures more indistinct ( Fig. 14 View Figures 11–14 ); fine, short, mesoscutal setae largely less than half width of mesoscutal lateral yellow stripe ( Fig. 14 View Figures 11–14 ) ..................................................................... P. ( N.) minima (Gribodo) View in CoL

6(5). Metabasitarsal superior distal angle broadly rounded; metatibial length 2.4– 2.5× width .................................................................................... P. ( N.) orphne , n. sp.

—. Metabasitarsal superior distal angle projecting and acutely rounded; metatibial length 2.3× width ...................................................................... P. ( N.) chondra , n. sp.