Pheidole aenescens

Nothing is known about the biology of aenescens.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Brazil.

Description
A medium-sized light reddish brown (“coppery”) member of the fallax group similar to Pheidole alienata, Pheidole bergi, Pheidole chrysops, Pheidole cordiceps, Pheidole midas and Pheidole nesiota, distinguished by the following combination of traits.

Major: head heart-shaped with extensive, wide-celled rugoreticulum ranging from mesad to the eyes and laterad from the frontal lobes posteriorly to the occiput along the midline, but with the occipital lobes remaining smooth and shiny; pilosity long and very dense over the entire dorsal surface of the body.

Minor: occiput narrowed, with narrow nuchal collar.

In both major and minor the scapes are covered with long, erect and suberect hairs, not illustrated.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.06, HL 1.14, SL 0.94, EL 0.20, PW 0.54. Paratype minor: HW 0.54, HL 0.70, SL 0.90, EL 0.16, PW 0.40.

COLOR Major: antennae and body rich light reddish brown (“coppery”) except for the gaster, which is plain brown; legs yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
BRAZIL: Utinga Tract, near Belém, Pará, col. P. F. Darlington.

Etymology
L aenescens, bronze-like, referring to the body color.