Petiolar node in profile view oval-shaped with rounded posterodorsal margin and almost flat anterodorsum margin, slightly longer than high (LPeI 112–119), anterodorsal margin situated slightly lower than posterodorsal margin, dorsum moderately convex; node in dorsal view 1.2–1.3 times longer than wide (DPeI 76–85), in dorsal view pronotum approximately 2–2.1 times wider than petiolar node (PeNI 46–51).
Anterior clypeal margin complete and convex.
First gastral tergite unsculptured, smooth, and shiny. Although they do not usually nest inside buildings, they may become a minor nuisance entering homes attracted by food left out. Csösz, Radchenko and Schulz (2007) - A member of the Tetramorium chefketi species complex in the Tetramorium caespitum species group.. Small Workers of T. alternans can be separated from related species by the lack of psammophore, relatively small eyes, very short scape without dorsal carina basally, less coarse body sculpture (i.e. Mandibles strongly striate; clypeus longitudinally rugose/rugulose, with 4–5 rugae/rugulae with well-developed median ruga; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae reticulate–rugose to longitudinally rugose, posteriorly more reticulate–rugose and anteriorly more longitudinally rugose; lateral and ventral head mostly reticulate–rugose. Mesosoma, head, petiole, postpetiole, and gaster orangish brown; mandibles and legs lighter in color. Paratypes, eight pinned workers: INDIA, Andaman Islands archipelago, Havelock Island: 12.0027333 N, 92.9396667 E, 32 m, tropical (semi) evergreen forest, sifted leaf-litter, 10.XI.2015 (NCBS: NCBS-AV755, NCBS-AV941, NCBS-AV942). Tetramorium krishnani is recorded so far only from its type locality on Havelock Island, in the Andaman Islands archipelago but it is likely to be present on other islands of the archipelago.
Basic information. In summer, the ants dig out the sand between the pavements to vent their nests.The pavement ant is dark brown to blackish, and 2.5–4 mm long. This extreme inquiline is represented only by female and pupoid type male individuals, whose morphology and anatomy indicate a highly specialized level of parasitism. Tetramorium atratulum is a rare workerless socially parasitic ant from the Palaearctic region, which has even been introduced together with its host in North America. The species is unusual for lacking a worker caste, the queens and males living entirely off the care of the pavement ant. (2017) - The following character combination distinguishes The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description. Emeritus, NCBS) in appreciation of his scientific achievements, and his unbounded enthusiasm for - and support of - curiosity-driven ecological and wildlife research.
Frontal carinae well-developed, approaching corners of posterior head margin; antennal scrobes absent. It has been called "the 'ultimate' parasitic ant" by myrmecologists Edward O. Wilson and Bert Hölldobler.
The pavement ant (Tetramorium caespitum)—also known as the sugar ant in parts of North America —is an ant native to Europe, which also occurs as an introduced pest in North America.
The pavement ant, Tetramorium caespitum L. is one of the most commonly encountered ants in the United States. Observed on 12th of July 2015 in Cheshire CT, USA.