Engel, Engel & Herhold & Davis & Wang & Thomas, 2021

Nostotrigona Engel , new subgenus

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:

TYPE SPECIES: Trigona recursa Smith, 1863 .

DIAGNOSIS: This group includes the smallest species of Trigona and is generally similar to the hemipterophilic species of Ktinotrofia ( vide infra). The subgenus can generally be characterized by the following combination of traits: integument entirely dark brown to black ( Fig. 144 View Figures 144–146 ); forewing membrane hyaline clear to faintly infumate or parchment-colored; mandible quinquedentate; labrum simple, surface gently and evenly convex; clypeus in profile with numerous erect bristles; scape with prominent, thick, black bristles, such bristles typically as long as scape diameter (sometimes even slightly longer) ( Fig. 149 View Figures 149–150 ); vertex with distinct postocellar ridge ( Figs. 145, 146 View Figures 144–146 ); distance from median ocellus to postocellar ridge equal to ocellar diameter ( Fig. 146 View Figures 144–146 ); metatibia with distinct corbicula, with retromarginal fringe setae abundant.

ETYMOLOGY: The new subgeneric name is a combination of the Greek nóstos ( νόστος, meaning, “returning”) and Trigona . The gender of the name is feminine.

INCLUDED SPECIES: In addition to the type species, the subgenus includes T. permodica Almeida .