Camponotus claviscapus occultus

This species has been found nesting in hollow twigs.

Distribution
Known from Hispaniola and eastern Cuba.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Dominican Republic, Greater Antilles, Haiti.

Castes
Minor

Nomenclature

 *  occultus. Camponotus claviscapus subsp. occultus Wheeler, W.M. & Mann, 1914: 56, fig. 24 (s.w.q.m.) HAITI. Combination in C. (Pseudocolobopsis): Emery, 1925b: 157.

Worker
Worker major. Length 5.5-6.5 mm.

Differing from the typical Camponotus claviscapus of Trinidad and its var. Camponotus claviscapus subcarinatus Forel of Central America in its somewhat smaller size, in having the sides of the clypeus more nearly straight and parallel and the punctures on the mandibles, clypeus, cheeks and front denser and larger, so that these portions of the head are nearly subopaque. The base and declivity of the epinotum meet at nearly a right angle, which is blunt but distinct, the declivity being concave. The thorax is uniformly yellow throughout, as is also the posterior border of the head, and the brown bands on the posterior borders of the gastric segments are very narrow.

Worker minor. Length 4-5.5 mm.

Differing from the worker of the typical form in having the clypeus distinctly carinate and in the paler color of the body, which is yellow throughout, with the head a little darker and more reddish and without brown bands on the gaster.

Queen
(dealated). Length 7 mm.

Closely resembling the major worker but the head proportionally shorter and smaller. The thorax is elongate elliptical, its upper surface very smooth and shining. The body is pale yellow, the head slightly but uniformly reddish, much paler than in the worker major, the mandibles dark red, the gaster with a distinct transverse brown stripe near the posterior border of each segment. The female of the var. subcarinatus has the head and gaster much darker and even the thorax tinged with brown.

Male
Length 3.5-4 mm.

Differing from the male of the typical claviscapus and its var. subcarinatus in its smaller size and pale color. The whole body is pale yellow and there are no brown bands on the gaster. The wings are nearly colorless, with very pale yellow veins and stigma.

Type Locality Information
Described from several workers, two males and one female taken from hollow twigs and bamboo at Petionville, Diquini, St. Marc and Port au Prince.