Ponera maligna

Smith, F., 1861, Catalogue of hymenopterous insects collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace in the Islands of Ceram, Celebes, Ternate, and Gilolo., Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 6, pp. 36-48 : 44-45

4. Ponera maligna .

P. capite subquadrato, margine posteriore trans-verso; thorace abdomineque laevigatis, nitidis; mandibulis, antennis tarsisque pallide ferrugineis.

Female. Length 5 1 / 2 lines. Jet-black, smooth and shining; the posterior margin of the head transverse, with the lateral angles acute; the clypeus elevated; the head is sprinkled with distant punctures; its anterior margin, the mandibles, and antennae ferruginous; the mandibles porrect, with two or three teeth at their apex and a larger one on their inner margin about one-third of their length from their apex.

Thorax oblong-ovate, with a few large scattered shallow punctures; the articulations of the legs and the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen deeply constricted between the first and second segment, the apex rufo-testaceous; the node of the peduncle incrassate, subquadrate, rather widest behind; the entire insect is sprinkled with pale hairs, which are most dense on the abdomen, particularly at its apex.

Worker. This sex is rather smaller than the female, is less pubescent, and with fewer punctures; the metathorax narrower than the prothorax, and obtuse behind: the eyes are smaller, and, like those of the female, placed forwards at the sides of the head; the mandibles are similarly toothed; the colouring does not differ.

Hab. Celebes; Menado.