Pheidole mantilla

Longino (1997) found the species in open habitats of seasonally dry areas. Workers forage on the ground and up into low vegetation. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Northern Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica. (Wilson 2003)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica, Panama.

Nomenclature

 *  mantilla. Pheidole mantilla Wilson, 2003: 323, figs. (s.w.) COSTA RICA.

Description
Closely similar to Pheidole caribbaea of Jamaica, differing in the major in its narrower occiput seen in full-face view; carinulae of the cephalic dorsum reaching all the way to the occiput border; shorter scape; oval (rather than trapezoidal) postpetiole; and lighter (reddish-yellow as opposed to brown) color.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.32, HL 1.42, SL 1.02, EL 0.20, PW 0.62. Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.80, SL 1.04, EL 0.16, PW 0.40.

COLOR Major: concolorous medium reddish yellow (“orange”).

Minor: concolorous brownish yellow.



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

Type Material
COSTA RICA: La Pita, on road to Monteverde, Puntarenas, 200 m, col. J. T. Longino.

Etymology
L mantilla, cloak, referring to the dense pilosity of the head and mesosoma.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Wilson E. O. 2003. Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, [ix] + 794 pp.