Pseudolasius is a
genus of
ants in the
subfamilyFormicinae.[2] The genus is known from southern Asia (from India to China) to northern Australia, where it appears to be restricted to
tropical areas.[3] These ants are commonly known as twig ants due to their habit of nesting in twigs or hollow stems.
Identification
The mandibles have 4 to 7 teeth, while the maxillary palps have 2 to 5 segments and the labial palps have 2 to 4 segments. The mandibles are small and not easily noticeable. The setae (hairs) on the upper part of the head are randomly distributed, while the scapes, legs, and upper part of the mesosoma (the middle part of the body, including the propodeum) have upright setae. The body is often covered in dense fine hair (pubescence). The eyes are often poorly developed and usually positioned below the middle of the head. The workers exhibit strong polymorphism, with a major caste that has a notched hind margin of the head. The propodeum (the rear part of the mesosoma) has a dorsal face that ranges from low to high-domed, and the overall shape of the mesosoma is compact.[4]