Pheidole arboricola

Arboricola is a resident of moist mature and second-growth forest, nesting in the hollow branches and under the dead bark variously of Bauhinia, Cecropia, Stryphnodendron, and other trees. (Longino 1997).

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica, up to 500 meters elevation. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Costa Rica.

Description
A very small species, close to Pheidole amazonica, Pheidole mackayi, Pheidole minutula and especially Pheidole quercicola distinguished in the major from these species by its subangulate (as opposed to lobate) humerus in dorsal-oblique view, rounded lateral borders of the postpetiole, and bicolorous head.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.76, HL 0.84, SL 0.40, EL 0.06, PW 0.40. Paratype minor: HW 0.42, HL 0.46, SL 0.40, EL 0.06, PW 0.26.

COLOR Major: head capsule anterior to eyes, along with a fuzzy circular spot in the middle of the capsule dorsum, light brown. Waist and gaster also light brown; rest of body and appendages dark yellow.

Minor: body medium brown, tarsi yellow, rest of appendages light brown.



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

Type Locality Information
COSTA RICA: La Selva Biological Station, near Puerto Viejo, J. T. Longino.

Etymology
L arboricola, tree-dwelling, alluding to the arboricolous nests of the species.