Camponotus microps

Samples collected by S.P. Cover were from a nest in fine sandy soil in a grassy area and surmounted by a sand crater about 15 cm in diameter. The colony sample collected by the author was under a large stone in a grassy area. (Snelling 2006)

Identification
Differs from other members of the C. festinatus complex by the small eyes and, in major workers, the head less strongly narrowed anteriorly and mandibles coarsely and closely punctate but with weakly sculptured interspaces. Minor workers share with those of Camponotus festinatus the absence of erect setae on the dorsal and mesial scape surfaces, but differ by the smaller eyes and the posteriorly more strongly narrowed head.

Distribution
known only from the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona. It probably occurs also in other mountain ranges such as the Dragoon, Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains in Arizona and the Peloncillo Mountains in southwestern New Mexico, as well as in adjacent ranges in northeastern Sonora, Mexico. (Snelling 2006)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Mexico.



Habitat
The type locality is a woodland of mixed forest consisting of Chihuahua pine, Emory oak and juniper. Another collection from a nearby locality was in similar woodland.

Nomenclature

 *  microps. Camponotus microps Snelling, R.R. 2006: 91, figs. 23-27 (s.w.q.) U.S.A.

Worker
Major (n=12). Measurements: HL 2.75-3.25; HW 2.50-3.10; EL 0.55-0.65; SL 1.95-2.20; ML 3.65-4.15. Indices: CI 90-97; HFI 88-96; OI 18-23; SI 67-75.

Microreticulation of head sufficiently strong that piligerous punctures are obscured and anterior malar area with few or no elongate piligerous punctures. Antennal scape relatively short, its apex extending, at most, only slightly beyond posterolateral corners of head.

Mesosoma and legs pale yellowish brown and head reddish brown. Basal segments of gaster largely light brown, with yellow across the base; in some specimens the second and third segments are largely brown with yellow lateral spots.

Pilosity about as described for Camponotus festinatus; side of pronotum usually with 1 to several short standing setae near ventral margin. The following numbers of long standing (decumbent to fully erect) setae present on indicated structures: scape shaft (6-15), ventral margin of profemur (5-10), pronotal disc (20-30), mesonotum (6-20), propodeum (5-8), petiole (6-7), disc of gastral tergum 1 (6-8), premarginal band of gastral tergum 1 (7-13).

Media and minor (n= 2). Measurements: HL 1.60-1.90; HW 1.05-1.35; EL 0.45-0.50; SL 1.95-2.25; ML 2.45-3.00. Indices: CI 64-72; HFI 130-200; OI 25-28; SI 115-125.

Head and body yellow to yellowish brown with reddish mandibles and brown tarsi; tibiae yellow to brown, often bicolored.

Pilosity about as described for C. festinatus. The following numbers of long standing (decumbent to fully erect) setae present on indicated structures: scape shaft (0-1), ventral margin of profemur (2-5), pronotal disc (4-8), mesonotum (1-4), propodeum (2-4), petiole (4-6), disc of gastral tergum 1 (4-7), premarginal band of gastral tergum 1 (6-8).

Queen
(n=1). Measurements: HL 2.50; HW 2.05; EL 0.65; SL 2.20; ML 4.40. Indices: CI 82; HFI 129; OI 26; SI 88. Similar to that of C. festinatus, but eyes smaller and scape short (CI 88 vs. 92 - 104); malar area finely microreticulate and with scattered fine obscure round punctures; longest setae c. 0.2 mm long. ICD 0.95 × HW; EL 0.62 × OMD; IOD and OOD each about 3.0 × OD. Pilosity o scape similar to that of minor / media workers.

Color similar to that of major workers.

Type Material
Holotype (major worker). United States of America, Arizona, Cochise Co., Cave Creek Canyon, Southwest Research Station, 5400 ft. (1645 m), Chiricahua Mts., 10.IX. 1997, leg. S.P. Cover, # 4990, nest in fine sandy soil in mixed pine-oak forest. Paratypes. 90 workers of all sizes, same data as types; Cave Creek Canyon, 7.2 km WSW Portal, 1680 m, 8.VIII.2001, leg. R.R. Snelling, # 01- 178 (,, MCZ, RAJC, , ).

Etymology
From Greek, small eyes.