Formica scitula

This distinctive species is only known from the type queen collected at Clayton, Georgia, United States. Subsequent searching in this area has yet to find additional specimens.

Identification
The scape of this species is without erect hairs (except the apex), the dorsum of the mesosoma has numerous long, erect hairs, the petiole also has erect hairs, and the gaster has scattered, erect hairs on all surfaces. The tibiae are without erect hairs, except for a row of suberect hairs along the flexor surface. Many of the hairs are blunt-tipped, especially on the dorsum of the mesosoma.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.

Biology
This species is likely to be a temporary parasite of another species of Formica, but its host is.

Nomenclature

 *  scitula. Formica microgyna subsp. scitula Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 470 (q.) U.S.A.
 * Status as species: Creighton, 1950a: 507; Smith, D.R. 1979: 1463; Bolton, 1995b: 203.

Description
FEMALE. Length 4.5 mm.

Closely resembling the female of rasilis in color, except that the base of the first gastric segment is brownish red like the head; thorax, petiole, legs, scapes and base of the funiculi, and the wings are faintly but distinctly infuscated. Anal region reddish. Gaster and terminal funicular joints dark brown. The clavate hairs on the head, thorax, and gaster are as long as in the var. spicata but more numerous on the posterior portion of the pronotum and the whole of the mesonotum. Gula with a very few erect hairs. Pubescence very fine and indistinct, except on the gaster. There are no oblique or suberect hairs on the scapes or legs. The body, including the legs and gaster, is smooth and slightly shining, the frontal area subopaque.