Aenictus philiporum

This rare species has been collected only a limited number of times on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland and in eastern Papua New Guinea. Little is known concerning its biology (Shattuck, 2008).

Identification
Head capsule smooth posteriorly and weakly punctate between the frontal carinae and above the mandibular insertions; pronotum with large smooth areas dorsally and laterally, other areas micro-reticulate.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Australia.

Biology
A colony from Bandong was found running in file during the late afternoon in midmountain rain forest. The workers wer carrying brood consisting of half-grown larvae; thus the colony is interpreted as being in the nomadic phase. Three Pheidole soldiers, representing at least 2 species, were retrieved from the mandibles of the the workers. (Wilson 1964)

Nomenclature

 *  philiporum. Aenictus philiporum Wilson, 1964a: 473, fig. 74 (w.) AUSTRALIA. See also: Shattuck, 2008c: 13.

Holotype worker and 5 paratype workers from Iron Range, Queensland.

Description
Mandible broad, triangular, with 6–9 widely spaced short teeth; anterior clypeal border broadly convex, even with or slightly posterior to anterior margin of frontal lobes; parafrontal ridges present; subpetiolar process weakly developed, broadly rounded anteriorly, flat posteriorly; head smooth laterally, remainder weakly to moderately punctate; posterior section of pronotum and entire mesonotum completely smooth to very weakly reticulate; anterior of pronotum, mesopleuron and entire propodeum weakly punctuate; body red-brown, head, antennae and legs lighter yellow-red.

Measurements. Worker (n = 10) - CI 88–94; HL 0.66–0.71; HW 0.59–0.67; MTL 0.47–0.57; ML 0.96–1.06; SI 83–89; SL 0.52–0.59.

Additional References

 * Shattuck, S.O. (2008) Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926, 1–19.
 * Wilson, E.O. (1964) The true army ants of the Indo-Australian area. Pacific Insects, 6, 427–483.