Search Path - How you got here.  Click on the path to backtrack.
  Number of segments between alitrunk and gaster  (2 segments (petiole and postpetiole) are reduced or isolated between the alitrunk and the gaster)     Eye size  (Eye composed of more than one lens)     Spines on alitrunk  (Alitrunk with spines)     Psammophore  (Ventral side of head and mandibles without basket-like series of hairs)     Postpetiole attachment  (Postpetiole attached to front surface of first gastral segment; petiole with a node and not dorsoventrally flattened)     Tubercles  (Dorsal surface of body not covered with tubercles)     Number of spines on alitrunk  (1-2 pairs of spines on alitrunk)     Antennal club  (Antenna with 3-segmented club)     Head size  (Contrast between workers' head-body proportions not as extreme)     Shape of petiole  (Petiole with anterior peduncle)     Clypeus  (Clypeus without ridges in front of antennal insertions; mandibles usually with 5 teeth, with the apical tooth largest)

Identity - What this specimen is (based on the available information).
Family - Formicidae,  Subfamily - Myrmicinae,  Genus - Leptothorax


Diagnostic - How to further narrow the specimen's identity.  Select the most appropriate option.
Feature to examine:  Head sculpture

  Option 1

Head densely and evenly punctate, without striations or wrinkles, and never with central strip free of sculpture

  Option 2

Head usually with striations and wrinkles, as well as punctures; central strip of head often without sculpture

  Option 3

No information available