Pheidole lourothi

The type colony was collected by Philip S. Ward from a rotten log on the floor of rainforest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Costa Rica.

Description
A very large blackish (major) or reddish (minor) brown member of the fallax group, distinguished in the major by its long propodeal spines, largely rugoreticulate dorsal head surface, and almost completely rugulose and carinulate sides of the mesosoma; and in the minor by the rugulose mesopleuron and propodeum.

Similar to Pheidole ajax, Pheidole fiorii, Pheidole hector, Pheidole hirsuta and ''Pheidole jaculifera, differing in many details of body form, sculpturing, and pilosity, as illustrated.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.88, HL 1.80, SL 1.04, EL 0.30, PW 0.84. Paratype minor: HW 0.78, HL 0.92, SL 1.16, EL 0.22, PW 0.60.

COLOR Major: body blackish brown, head also with a faint reddish tinge; mandibles dark reddish brown; scape and legs except tarsi medium brown; funiculus and tarsi brownish yellow.

Minor: gaster dark brown, rest of body medium reddish brown; appendages light reddish brown.



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

Type Locality Information
COSTA RICA: 4 km south-southeast of San Vito, Puntarenas (Philip S. Ward).

Etymology
Named in honor of Louis M. Roth, distinguished insect systematist and friend, who accompanied me on my first field trip to Costa Rica in 1959.