AUSTRALIAN SPECIES OF RHYTIDOPONERA MAYR 
15 
Generally the nest is constructed underground, often in the 
roots of small shrubs and trees but occasionally under logs 
or stones. The underground nest is surmounted by a raised 
crater-like mound from two to six inches in diameter and the 
same in height. The larvae and pupae are usually to be found 
near the top of the nest; and the dark brown, almost black, 
pupae frequently in bright sunlight. When disturbed the 
workers of most species make a distinct stridulating sound 
before retreating, and the larvae and pupae are carried below 
or hidden in crevices or under debris. They are rather slug- 
gish in movement, but can move rapidly. The sting is severe 
and equal to that of the Bull-ants {Myrmecia). The Rhytido- 
j)onerae are among the few ponerine ants which hunt among 
the blossoms and sip the exudations of small plants. Many 
myrmecophiles, particularly Coleoptera, are found in the nests 
during the spring months. 
Unless otherwise stated, the types of all new species are in 
the National Museum, Melbourne. 
Family FORMICIDAE Latreille 1810. 
Subfamily Ponerinae Lepeletier 1836. 
Genus RHYTIDOPONERA Mayr. 
Ectatomma subgenus Rhytidoponera Mayr, Verb. Zool. — bot. Ges. Wien, 
xii, p. 731, 1862 : ibidem, xxxvii, p. 539, 1887. 
Ectatomma (Part) Smith, Cat. Hymn. Brit. Mus., vi, p. 104, 1858. 
Ponera (Part) Le Guillou, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., x, p. 317, 1840. 
Rhytidoponera Emery, Ann. Mus. Stor. Civ. Genova, xxxviii, p. 547, 
1897; Rhytidoponera (R.), Gen. Ins., fasc. 118, pp. 36-37, 1911. 
Rhytidoponera Wheeler, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., xlv, p. 643, 1922. 
Worker. — Monomorphic. Mandibles triangular, with or without small 
teeth. Antennae filiform, with twelve segments, scapes extend about one- 
third their length beyond occipital border. First segment of funiculus gener- 
ally shorter than second. Eyes large and convex, placed at, or behind, 
middle of sides of head. No ocelli. Head usually truncate behind, rounded 
in a few species. Occipital border straight, convex or concave, with or 
without projecting anges. Pro-mesonotal suture strongly impressed. Meso- 
epinotal suture rarely impressed. Anterior inferior angle of pronotum 
sharp or spinate. Node massive, but in some species more scale-like, always 
with a spine on the ventral surface in front. Postpetiole more or less 
constricted behind. Anterior tarsi with one broad pectinate spur each, middle 
and posterior tarsi each with one long slender bristle-like spur, sometimes 
feebly pectinated. Claws bifid. 
Female. — Unknown. Probably cannot be distinguished from the worker. 
Male. — 'Mandibles triangular, sometimes feebly dentate. Antennae with 
thirteen segments. Scapes generally longer than second segment of funiculi. 
Thorax with mayrian furrows more or less strongly impressed. Wings 
