Camponotus sericeiventris rex

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico.

Nomenclature

 * . Camponotus sericeiventris subsp. rex Forel, 1907e: 13 (w.) COSTA RICA, GUATEMALA, ECUADOR, MEXICO (Veracruz).
 * Wheeler, W.M. 1931c: 95 (q.).
 * Combination in C. (Myrmepomis): Emery, 1925b: 171.
 * Subspecies of sericeiventris: Forel, 1908b: 70; Forel, 1914e: 13; Santschi, 1916e: 399; Mann, 1922: 53; Emery, 1925b: 171; Borgmeier, 1927c: 161; Wheeler, W.M. 1931c: 94 (redescription); Kusnezov, 1952d: 223; Kempf, 1972a: 48; Bolton, 1995b: 120.

Worker
Wheeler (1931) - maxima Length 13-14 mm.; head 4.5 mm. long and 4.5 mm. broad; hind tibia 5.2 mm.

Differing from the maxima worker of sericeiventris in its somewhat more robust stature, in having the head as broad as long, with more convex, or swollen cheeks, the pronotum with short, very blunt spines, the meso- and metanotum less strongly compressed above, the petiole with blunt, broadly rounded superior border and more obtuse lateral angles, the flattened tibiae somewhat broader. The appressed pubescence is coarser, longer and denser, deep golden yellow, feebly or indistinctly converging to the middorsal line at the posterior borders of the gastric segments. Hairs abundant, on the head and thorax, black with deep fulvous tips, on the gaster fulvous throughout. Head and mandibles deep red, vertex blackish, sides, clypeus and gula shining and very finely punctate, the posterior corners with several short impressed line-like punctures.

major media and minor Length 8-12 mm.

Resembling the maxima, except in having the head smaller and blaek throughout, the appressed pubescence, however, even more abundant, covering the thorax, coxae, petiole and posterior half of the head as well as the gaster. Pronotal spines short and blunt, petiole with obtuse superior border as in the maxima.

Queen
Wheeler (1931) - Length 16-17 mm.; fore wing 15.5 mm.

Resembling the worker maxima, but head slightly longer than broad, subtrapezoidal, with rather straight sides and feebly excavated posterior border; the sides, clypeus and gula smooth and shining, deep red, as are also the mandibles. Pronotum with small blunt projections instead of the spines. Petiole shaped as in the maxima. Pubescence, especially on the head and thorax somewhat shorter. Scutellum and anterior portion of mesonotum smooth and shining, without pubescence. Wings colored as in the typical sericeiventris.

Type Material
Wheeler (1931) - Costa Rica: Pacuarito, type-locality (W. Paap).