Morphology of cuticular structures in the ant genus Strumigenys (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Ants in the genus Strumigenys have an assortment of structures that appear to hold environmental debris that acts as camouflage to facilitate their ability to feed on collembolans. Species use a species-specific assortment of structures with a general hair- or scale-like form. These structures can be categorized as brush hairs, which expand apically and often have peg-like extensions for greater surface area and holding ability; holding hairs, narrow cuticular structures that often have ridges and pointed extensions of the cuticle; or guard hairs, whose function may not be to hold debris but at times become covered with this material. Additionally, the sculpturing of the head often holds a coating of environmental debris. Each of the six species used in this study had a distinct pattern of these cuticular structures that are different from that of other species and can be considered to have a species-specific character. Six species of Strumigenys are studied using a scanning electron microscope.