Lepisiota aurea punctaticeps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Philippines.

Nomenclature

 *  punctaticeps. Acantholepis aurea subsp. punctaticeps Wheeler, W.M. 1935b: 46 (w.) PHILIPPINES. Combination in Lepisiota: Bolton, 1995b: 228.

Worker
Length 2 mm.

Head subtrapezoidal, slightly longer than broad, distinctly narrowed anteriorly, with feebly convex sides and posterior border and rounded posterior corners. Eyes at the middle of the sides of the head, moderately convex, as long as their distance from its anterior corners. Mandibles convex, with 5 sub equal teeth. Clypeus convex, carinate, with broadly rounded, projecting anterior border. Frontal area obsolescent; frontal groove distinct anteriorly. Antennal scapes extending about one-fourth their length beyond the posterior border of the head. Pronotum with rounded humeri and convex sides and dorsal surface, decidedly broader than long; mesonotum transversely subelliptical, one and one-third times as broad as long; metanotum about two-thirds as broad as the pronotum, with prominent, dorsally projecting spiracles; the mesometanotal impression short but pronounced; epinotum somewhat narrower than the pronotum, subrectangular, the base on each side with a pair of stout longitudinal projections which terminate posteriorly in very blunt teeth bearing the epinotal spiracles at their tips. Petiolar scale thin, its summit acute and almost semi circularly excised, so that its corners from two blunt, flattened teeth which are about twice as long as broad at their bases, its sides and anterior surface somewhat convex. There is no peduncle-like prolongation behind the node.

Mandibles and clypeus shining, feebly and microscopically reticulate, the former with a few coarse piligerous punctures, remainder of head opaque, densely and finely punctate; thorax, petiole and appendages subopaque, sculptured like the head but more superficially; meso- and metaplurae longitudinally rugulose; gaster smooth and shining.

Hairs white, sparse, erect and obtuse, present only on the body; scapes and legs with fine, appressed, pale pubescence.

Head and thorax dark reddish brown; gula, occiput and epinotum darker and more blackish; mandibles, scapes, mesonotum, trochanters, tips of femora and tips and bases of tibire yellowish brown; funiculi fuscous; tarsi yellow, with the last joint brown; gaster black.

Type Material
Two specimens taken by Dr. J. W. Chapman, one at Baguio, Luzon Island (type locality) and one Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Phillip pines.