Description Meat ant

worker specimen of i. purpureus

in general, meat ants medium large in size, measuring 6–12 mm (0.24–0.47 in), , can recognised dark-bluish body , red head. generally, heads , pronotums share similar colours , lighter mesothorax (the middle of 3 segments in thorax) , propodeum (the first abdominal segment), reddish brown. however, head may lighter, , pronotum , mesothorax may share similar colours. mesosomal setae (as in haur found on mesosoma) dark , translucent. iridescence between compound eyes , lateral portion of head ranges purple strong , dark purple. colour of legs , coxae (the basal segment of insect leg, attaches body) darker mesothorax, , petiole (narrow waist) reddish brown , darker mesothorax. lateral portion of second gastral tergite (a dorsal segment other head) shiny, , iridescence varies among workers, green or blue plain green , purple. soft hairs on head frequent around occipital margin, , around mandibular insertion, 3 8 pale setae seen. soft hairs common around first gastral tergite. examined specimens show no known ocelli. erect setae on pronotum abundant. anterodorsal (meaning in front , toward back) portion of propodeum arched , flat.

there no allometric differences among workers. on average, workers measure around 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in); character distinguishes these ants queens, different variety of colours exhibit on bodies. head , pronotum range orange brick-red, , mesonotum , propodeum either light, same in colour or darker head. gaster can brown or black blue or purple iridescence , legs either orange or brown. iridescence around foreparts blue, pink, pale greenish yellow , purple. erect setae brown. head has concave posterior margin (as in end of organism head) erect setae abundant in front of face. sides of head convex. erect setae on genal (side region of head) either present or absent, although small number of setae may seen around mandibular insertion. eyes semicircular , positioned around midpoint of ants head capsule. frontal carinae (a keel-shaped ridge or structure) convex , antennal scapes extend beyond head s posterior margin 2 or 3 times diameter. erect setae found on antennal scape , noticeably prominent on clypeal margin (a shield-like plate @ front of insect). mandibles elongated , triangular, long curved setae around head capsule. pronotum evenly curved @ least 12 or more pronotal setae present. these setae short , bristly. mesonotum sinuous (meaning has many curves), and, pronotum, has 12 or more mesonotal setae. mesothoracic spiracles small , propodeal dorsum smooth or convex. there number of propodeal setae. dorsum of node (a segment between mesosoma , gaster) thin, scale-like , vertical. there both non-marginal , marginal setae present on first gastral tergite around gaster.

specimen image of male

queens distinguishable workers black colour , larger size, measuring 12.7 mm (0.50 in). queens black, being dark. antennae , legs ferruginous (rust-like colour), head fusco-ferruginous, , sides beneath face , mandibles ferruginous. head wider thorax , emarginate. there impressed line runs anterior (nearer front of body) stemma base of clypeus. thorax ovate (has oval-shaped outline) , thinly covered short reddish brown pubescence (soft short hair). wings subhyaline, exhibiting glassy appearance. wings yellowish along anterior margin of superior pair , around base; nervures (the veins of wings) rufo-fuscous. thorax, abdomen ovate , several abdominal segments appear rufo-piceous, making reddish-brown or glossy brownish black. males smaller queens, measuring 8 mm (0.31 in). males bright violet, , antennae (except first joint) , tarsi ferruginous. first pair of legs ferruginous, , head, legs , thorax covered black pubescence. queen, wings subhyaline (imperfectly hyaline) , nervures rufo-fuscous. abdomen shows bright green tinge when seen under light.

microscopic view of eye

larvae measure 2.7–2.9 mm (0.11–0.11 in). body stout-shaped , dorsal side longer whereas ventral side (the bottom portion of body) shorter , more straight. head , anus ventral. integument covered in spinules either isolated each other or in short rows on posterior somite , on ventral surface. body hairs short, measuring 0.008–0.016 mm (0.00031–0.00063 in). cranium on dorsal side outlines curve smooth, , spinules moderately large. these spinules either isolated or seen in near parallel rows. several head hairs present small @ 0.013–0.025 mm (0.00051–0.00098 in) in length. labrum narrow , bilobed (consisting of 2 lobes). each lobe has spinules , 3 sensilla (simple sensory receptors) around anterior surface. ventral border has 2 sensilla , number of spinules, , on posterior surface, there several rows of spinules , 3 sensilla. mandibles have central apical (most distal plate or appendage body) tooth noticeable , sharp. maxillae have lobes, , labial palps (sensory structures on labium) knob-shaped.

meat ant workers may confused of i. lividus, 2 appear similar , grouped in same species complex. i. lividus , more localised i. spadius can distinguished other members of i. purpureus group shape of pronotum. aside colour differentiation key morphological character distinguish i. purpureus , synonym i. greensladei each other, meat ant populations exhibit polymorphism despite being monomorphic (occurs in particular form); specifically, body size among meat ants may vary geographically. example, found in hot regions tend larger, whereas found in regions of high humidity tend smaller average. examined workers once referred i. greensladei southwestern western australia have erect setae on genae (lateral sclerites), whereas studied elsewhere have glabrous genae, meaning these areas have no hairs. such patterns clinal, several characteristics may gradually differentiate on geographical area. colour of setae throughout body , iridescence may vary geographically. example, populations restricted coasts of western australia have pale setae, compared colonies throughout country, have common blackish setae. in 1993, shattuck not separate populations pale setae when other key diagnostic traits separate these populations not considered. meat ants western australian wheatbelt , goldfields show different iridescence; iridescence in collected specimens ranged pale greenish-blue yellowish-green, around humeri (a structure forms basal corner of insect s wing or wing case) , frons. variation of iridescence is, however, consistent pattern found in other iridomyrmex species little distinction, making subtle character. colour variation less marked in collected specimens of i. purpureus, close relative i. viridiaeneus, found in dry regions around south-western regions. shattuck further notes populations found throughout northern territory , south australia have reduced pubescence on first gastral tergite, different elsewhere.