Pheidole huacana

Nothing is known about the biology of huacana.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Peru.

Description
A member of the fallax group, close to Pheidole galba and Pheidole oliveirai, distinguished as follows.

Major: yellow; nadir of occipital mid-cleft seen in full-face view very deep, reached by carinulae that start on the vertex and run along the mid line of the head; rugoreticulum on each side of head runs from the eye to and into the circular carinulae around the antennal fossa; the rugoreticulum leads at the level of the posterior margin of the eye to weak rugulae that proceed obliquely toward the lateral head margin; frontal lobes mostly covered by rugulae; propodeal spines well-developed, often nearly vertical as shown; postpetiolar node from above transversely carinulate.

Minor: propodeal spines well-developed; occiput narrowed, with nuchal crest. Propodeal spines directed strongly upwards.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.88, HL 2.08, SL 1.10, EL 0.24, PW 0.92. Paratype minor: HW 0.76, HL 0.94, SL 1.18, EL 0.18, PW 0.54.

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

Minor: concolorous medium yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
PERU: Quincemil, Cuzco, 750 m, col. L. Pena.

Etymology
L huacana, from huaca, belonging to Inca spirits of the land.