Camponotus bemaheva

Camponotus bemaheva is restricted to the spiny bush and thicket of the southern region and the dry forest habitats of western Madagascar (Fig. 46D). The few colony nests that have been found were collected from rotten logs and under stones, but workers have been collected while foraging on the ground or on low vegetation.

Identification
In full-face view, lateral cephalic margins converge posteriorly towards eye level and without erect hairs posterior to eye level; two apical teeth of mandible positioned close to each other.

Workers of C. bemaheva look very similar to those of Camponotus daraina in that they have closely spaced apical teeth on the mandibles and the lateral margins of their head converge posteriorly towards eye level, but the latter is characterized by the presence of erect hairs on the lateral cephalic margin posterior to eye level.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 * . Camponotus bemaheva Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2022: 55, figs. 7B, 13A, 46 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Type Material

 * Holotype worker. MADAGASCAR: Province Toliara: PN Zombitse, 19.8 km 84° E Sakaraha, -22.84333, 44.71, 770 m, tropical dry forest, pitfall trap (Fisher, Griswold et al.) 05–09 Feb 2003, collection code: BLF07507, specimen code: CASENT0050097 (CAS).