Pheidole atticola

The type colony was found in a nest of the large leafcutter ant Acromyrmex lundii; no further data were given by the collector.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Argentina.

Description
Similar in various traits to Pheidole alacris, Pheidole dinophila, Pheidole hazenae, Pheidole lucaris, Pheidole nana, and Pheidole ulothrix, distinguished as follows.

Major: propodeal spine more than half as long as propodeal basal face, and curving slightly backward; pronotum covered by curving carinulae, some of which are semicircular; hypostoma 2-toothed; mesonotal convexity present although low and indistinct; postpetiole from above elliptical.

Minor: broken carinulae extend from frontal lobes to occiput; propodeal spine nearly half as long as propodeal basal face, and curing forward; occiput narrowed, with weakly convex border, and lacking nuchal collar.

Measurements (mm) Lectotype major: HW 1.04, HL 1.02, SL 0.56, EL 0.12, PW 0.48. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.52, HL 0.54, SL 0.52, EL 0.10, PW 0.32.

Color Major: head and appendages light reddish yellow; rest of body light reddish brown. Minor: body light brownish yellow, appendages clear medium yellow.

Type Material
- as reported in Wilson (2003)

Type Locality Information
Argentina: La Plata, Buenos Aires.

Etymology
L. atticola, living with Atta (leafcutter ants).

Additional References
Forel, A. 1912g. Formicides néotropiques, Part III: 3me sousfamille Myrmicinae (suite). Genres Cremastogaster et Pheidole. Mém. Soc. Entomol. Belg. 19: 211–237.

Text and images from this publication used by permission of the author.