Camponotus triton

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Bahamas.

Nomenclature

 *  triton. Camponotus (Colobopsis) triton Wheeler, W.M. 1934g: 217 (q.) BAHAMAS.

Queen
Length 6.3 mm.

Head about one fourth longer than broad, with straight, parallel sides and broadly rounded anterior and posterior corners; posterior border broadly convex; the anterior truncation, which has a very blunt border both laterally and posteriorly, extending back to the posterior fourth of the clypeus. Eyes large, moderately convex, distant less than half their length from the posterior, and fully twice their length from the anterior corners of the head. Mandibles 6-toothed, stout, flattened, with moderately convex external borders. Clypeus flattened anteriorly, convex posteriorly, ecarinate, suboblong, nearly one fourth longer than broad, slightly broader behind than in front, its anterior and lateral borders crenulate, its posterior border notched in the middle. Frontal area absent; frontal groove distinct, extending back to the anterior ocellus; frontal carinre straight, widely separated and diverging, reaching beyond the median level of the eyes. Antennal scapes rather stout, curved at the base, their tips reaching nearly one third their length beyond the posterior corners. Thorax broader than the head, elongate-elliptical, nearly two and one-half times as long as broad; mesonotum somewhat longer than broad; epinotum short and convex, without differentiated base and declivity. Petiolar scale low, nodiform, nearly twice as broad as long, rounded anteriorly, posteriorly, laterally and dorsally. Gaster elongate-elliptical. Legs rather slender.

Shining and very finely shagreened; mandibles and anterior half of head more opaque, sharply and regularly reticulate-rugose; the mandibles also finely punctate between the meshes.

Pilosity yellow, short, erect, absent on the thorax and petiole, sparse on the gaster; mandibles and anterior half of head with numerous short, erect, blunt and clavate hairs. Pubescence pale, short, appressed, visible only on the legs and antennae.

Yellow; gaster paler, more whitish yellow than the thorax, petiole and legs, fifth segment entirely and fourth except at the base, deep castaneous. Head, mandibles and antennae reddish yellow, with the occipital region paler and of the same color as the thorax. Insertions of wings with a small black spot. Wings whitish, with very pale, whitish yellow veins and pterostigma.

Type Material
A single specimen taken at Fresh Creek, Andros Island, Bahamas by Dr. W. M. Mann. I have described this species from a female, because its coloration is so striking that it can be very readily recognized.