Anoplolepis custodiens

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe.

Biology
This species has been found attached by its mandibles to the leg of a species of Pausus.

Nomenclature

 *  custodiens. Formica custodiens Smith, F. 1858b: 33 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Mayr, 1895: 148 (m.); Emery, 1895h: 44 (q.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1953c: 135 (l.). Combination in Plagiolepis: Emery, 1892a: 117; in Plagiolepis (Anoplolepis): Santschi, 1914b: 123; in Plagiolepis (Zealleyella): Arnold, 1922: 586; in Anoplolepis: Emery, 1925b: 17. Senior synonym of hendecarthrus: Mayr, 1865: 54; of berthoudi: Forel, 1879a: 91. See also: Prins, 1982: 218. Current subspecies: nominal plus detrita, hirsuta, pilipes.
 * hendecarthrus. Camponotus hendecarthrus Roger, 1863a: 132 (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA. Junior synonym of custodiens: Mayr, 1865: 54.
 * berthoudi. Formica berthoudi Forel, 1876: 33 (w.) LESOTHO. Junior synonym of custodiens: Forel, 1879a: 91.

Description
Worker. Length 2 lines. Head, thorax and legs ferruginous, and covered with a silky cinereous pile. Head emarginate behind. The thorax deeply strangulated at the base of the metathorax; the scale of the peduncle narrow, incrassate, obtuse above. Abdomen ovate, black, and covered with grey silky pile.