Myrmica subopaca

51. Myrmica subopaca. U.M. "Worker. Length 1 1/4 line.-Head, thorax, legs, and nodes of the petiole, dull rufo-testaceous; abdomen shining black, varying in depth of colour, small workers being sometimes pale red with the thorax black. The articulations of the legs and the tarsi pale rufo-testaceous, the head before the insertion of the antennae and mandibles pale ferruginous; the metathorax with a longitudinal groove, not spined; the head and thorax smooth; the nodes of the petiole elevated, blunt above; abdomen ovate, truncate at the base, pointed at the apex. Female. Length 2 1/4 lines.-Opake fusco-ferruginous; abdomen black, with the base reddish, the articulations of the legs and the tarsi pale rufo-testaceous; the thorax in the middle in front, and the scutellum, of a brighter red; the metathorax with a deep excavation; abdomen oblong-ovate, thinly sprinkled with short pale glittering hairs. Hab. Madeira. (Coll. T. V. Wollaston, Esq.) Cape.
Published as part of Smith, F., 1858, Catalogue of the hymenopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part VI. Formicidae., London :British Museum on page 127