Azteca aurita

Identification
A member of the Azteca aurita group. See the group page and keys for identification.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru.

Nomenclature

 *  aurita. Azteca aurita Emery, 1893b: 146, pl. 2, figs. 85, 86 (q.) BRAZIL. Senior synonym of silvae: Longino, 2007: 55.
 * silvae. Azteca lacrymosa r. silvae Forel, 1899c: 116 (s.w.) BRAZIL. Subspecies of aurita: Forel, 1906d: 237. Junior synonym of aurita: Longino, 2007: 55.

Worker
Longino (2007) - (n=2): HLA 1.22 (1.11–1.32), HW 1.21 (1.11–1.30), SL 1.11 (1.03–1.19), CI 99 (98–100), SI 92 (90–93).

Currently indistinguishable from Azteca pilosula.

Queen
Longino (2007) - (n=2): HLA 1.28 (1.25–1.30), HW 1.11 (1.10–1.11), SL 1.21 (1.18–1.24), CI 87 (85–88), SI 95 (94–95).

Palpal formula 4,3; middle and hind tibia lacking apical spur; mandible strongly flattened, apical tooth much longer than penultimate tooth; medial clypeal lobe strongly convex and protruding, extending well beyond lateral clypeal lobes; head quadrate, sides flat and diverging posteriorly, posterior margin strongly angulate laterally, deeply excavate medially; petiolar node short, broadly triangular; scape, mandible, lateral margin of head anterior to compound eye, and legs covered with uniform vestiture of short, dense, white pilosity; lateral margin of head posterior to eye, posterior margin of head, mesosomal dorsum, petiolar dorsum, and gaster lacking erect setae; entire body orange, with smooth, highly polished and reflective surface.

Type Material
Longino (2007) - Holotype queen: Brazil, Pará, Braganza (Oberthür) (examined).