Pheidole haskinsorum

The type series was collected in a burned-over pasture as the workers retrieved insects. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known from the type locality and from the Yasuni National Park of Ecuador. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Bolivia.

Description
A small member of the fallax group, similar to Pheidole lattkei, Pheidole obscurior (=Pheidole susannae), Pheidole petrensis and Pheidole susannae, and distinguished by the following traits.

Major: small; antennal scape surpasses occipital corner by its own maximum width; posterior third of head capsule devoid of sculpturing except for several carinulae along the midline that run to the occiput; rugoreticulum limited to a small patch just mesad to the eyes; head subrectangular in shape; pronotum bare except for foveolae on anterior and lateral margins; a thin anterior fringe of shagreening present on first gastral tergite.

Minor: head in full-face view with an unusual, symmetrically elliptical shape; nuchal crest present; propodeal spines short and thin.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.84, HL 0.94, SL 0.86, EL 0.16, PW 0.52. Paratype minor: HW 0.48, HL 0.16, SL 0.86, EL 0.16, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: body dark reddish brown, appendages medium reddish brown.

Minor: head, mesosoma, and waist dark brown; gaster and appendages light brown.



'''Figure. Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Locality Information
BOLIVIA: Saavedra Experimental Farm, col. James C. Trager.

Etymology
Named for the distinguished myrmecologists Caryl P. and Edna F. Haskins.