Pheidole hecate

Nothing is known about the biology of hecate.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
An apparent Jamaican endemic, hecate has been recorded from the following localities on the island: Hardwar Gap, Kingston, Newton, Troy, and southwest side of the main range, Blue Mountains, variously at 600-900 m. (Wilson 2003)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Jamaica.

Nomenclature

 *  hecate. Pheidole (Ceratopheidole) hecate Wheeler, W.M. 1911a: 26 (s.w.) JAMAICA. Combination in Ceratopheidole: Emery, 1922e: 113; in Pheidole: Kempf, 1972a: 183. Senior synonym of bruesi, malevola: Wilson, 2003: 544.
 * malevola. Pheidole (Ceratopheidole) hecate subsp. malevola Wheeler, W.M. 1911a: 27 (s.w.) JAMAICA. Combination in Ceratopheidole: Emery, 1922e: 113; in Pheidole: Kempf, 1972a: 183. Junior synonym of hecate: Wilson, 2003: 544.
 * bruesi. Pheidole (Ceratopheidole) hecate subsp. bruesi Wheeler, W.M. 1917g: 460 (s.w.) JAMAICA. [Unresolved junior primary homonym of bruesi Wheeler, above.] Combination in Ceratopheidole: Emery, 1922e: 113; in Pheidole: Kempf, 1972a: 183. Junior synonym of hecate: Wilson, 2003: 544.

Description
From Wilson (2003): DIAGNOSIS A member of the granulata group (4-segmented antennae), unique in both castes in the very long propodeal spines and completely carinulate mesosoma.

MEASUREMENTS (mrn) Lectotype major: HW 1.20, HL 1.18, SL 0.86, EL 0.20, PW 0.62. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.72, HL 0.78, SL 0.92, EL 0.16, PW 0.48.

COLOR Major: body very dark reddish brown, appendages light to medium brown.

Minor: body blackish brown, appendages medium brown.



'''Figure. Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
- as reported in Wilson (2003)

Type Locality Information
JAMAICA: Troy. (Wilson 2003)

Etymology
Gr Hecate, goddess of magic and witchcraft. (Wilson 2003)

Additional References
Wheeler, W. M. 1911a. Additions to the ant-fauna of Jamaica. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 30: 21–29.

Text and images from this publication used by permission of the author.