Simopelta bicolor

Identification
Mackay and Mackay (2008) - The worker of this species is easily recognized, as the mandible has six or more teeth. The clypeus lacks a spine. All other species in the genus have three-five mandibular teeth. The mesosoma is only slightly depressed at the promesonotal and metanotal sutures. It is bright, ferrugineous red with a yellow petiole and gaster.

The narrow petiole (as seen from the side) could cause confusion with the Brasilian Simopelta minima and the central and northern South America Simopelta pergandei, which also have narrow petioles. It can be separated from both of these species by the number of mandibular teeth: the latter two species only have three teeth.

Distribution
Espirito Santo, Brazil.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  bicolor. Simopelta bicolor Borgmeier, 1950a: 377, figs. 13-20 (w.) BRAZIL. Combination in Belonopelta: Baroni Urbani, 1975b: 299; in Simopelta: Bolton, 1995b: 383. See also: Gotwald & Brown, 1967: 273; Mackay & Mackay, 2008: 297.

Type Material
Mackay and Mackay (2008) - Worker, Brasil: Espírito Santo: Santa Teresa [paratype seen, ]