Pheidole hedlundorum

This species is only known from type specimens. The type series was collected from leaf litter in wet montane forest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Venezuela.

Description
A large, medium reddish brown (major) or plain light brown (minor) member of the flavens group, with a mostly smooth, shiny body surface and dense, exceptionally long pilosity. Similar to lustrata, differing in the major in lighter body color, larger size, rounded humerus in dorsal-oblique view, presence of wavy hairs on the promesonotum; and less extensive foveolation on the mesopleuron and propodeum; and in the minor in the broader occiput in full-face view, more posterior position of the eye, round eye shape, and shorter scape length.

See also the less similar Pheidole browni, Pheidole chalca, Pheidole chalcoides, Pheidole terresi, and species close to them listed in the diagnoses.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.20, HL 1.20, SL 0.62, EL 0.14, PW 0.58. Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.62, SL 0.58, EL 0.10, PW 0.40.

COLOR Major: body rich medium reddish brown, appendages a lighter shade.

Minor: light brown, tarsi yellow.



'''Figure. Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Locality Information
VENEZUELA: Estado Aragua, Rancho Grande, 1100 m (William L. and Doris E. Brown).

Etymology
Named in honor of Charles and Helen Marie Hedlund, in recognition of their outstanding contribution in service and support to tropical conservation, hence the habitats in which the Pheidole ants will continue to exist.