Pseudomyrmex boopis

This species is less arboreal than most Pseudomyrmex, and nests typically in rotten wood on or near the ground. The type specimen of P. boopis came from a nest in a swollen-thorn acacia (Smith 1862:33), however, and Janzen found colonies in thorns of Acacia melanoceras seedlings in Panama (Ward 1993).

Distribution
Southern Mexico to Ecuador, Venezuela and northern Brazil.

This taxon is known in Guatemala.

Habitat
Rainforest and tropical moist forest.

Nomenclature

 * modesta. Pseudomyrma modesta Smith, F. 1862b: 32 (w.) PANAMA. [Junior primary homonym of modesta Smith, F. 1860b: 106, above.] Replacement name: boopis Roger, 1863b: 25.
 *  boopis. Pseudomyrma boopis Roger, 1863b: 25. Replacement name for modesta Smith, F. 1862b: 32. [Junior primary homonym of modesta Smith, F. 1860b: 106.] Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1967c: 2. Senior synonym of excavata (and its junior synonyms flaviventris, fusciceps, guatemalensis): Kempf, 1967c: 2; of thoracica: Ward, 1993: 154.
 * excavata. Pseudomyrma excavata Mayr, 1870a: 410 (w.) COLOMBIA. Kempf, 1960a: 23 (q.). Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1960a: 7. Senior synonym of flaviventris, fusciceps, guatemalensis: Kempf, 1960a: 22. Junior synonym of boopis: Kempf, 1967c: 2.
 * flaviventris. Pseudomyrma excavata var. flaviventris Emery, 1896b: 2 (w.) PANAMA. Junior synonym of excavata: Kempf, 1960a: 22.
 * fusciceps. Pseudomyrma excavata var. fusciceps Santschi, 1931c: 271 (w.) PANAMA. Junior synonym of excavata: Kempf, 1960a: 22.
 * guatemalensis. Pseudomyrma tenuis var. guatemalensis Enzmann, E.V. 1944: 92 (w.) GUATEMALA. Junior synonym of excavata: Kempf, 1960a: 22.
 * thoracica. Pseudomyrma thoracica Norton, 1868c: 8 (w.) MEXICO. Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1972a: 225. [P. thoracica Norton, 1868a: 66. Nomen nudum.] Junior synonym of boopis: Ward, 1993: 154.

Pseudomyrma modesta

Holotype worker in. Labelled “Bac.”

Description
Ward (1993) - Medium-sized species (HW 1.16-1.29) in the P. tenuis group, with a broad head (CI 0.92-1.02), tectiform and laterally rounded median clypeal lobe, large eyes (REL 0.66), and laterally marginate pronotum. Mesosoma arched and angular in profile; petiole short, high and thin, laterally marginate, with a gently ascending anterodorsal face which rounds into a much steeper (almost vertical) posterior face. Standing pilosity sparse, lacking on the mesonotum, propodeum, and petiole. Color highly variable, ranging from light testaceous brown to bicolored orange and black (usually with the gaster and pronotum lightest in color) to dark brown.

Type Material
Ward (1993):

Holotype (unique syntype) worker, Panama (Stretch) [Examined].

Pseudomyrma thoracica Syntype workers, Cordova, Mexico (Sumichrast) [Not examined].

Pseudomyrma excavata Syntype workers, "N. Granada" (BMNH,, ) [Examined].

Pseudomyrma excavata var. flaviventris Syntype workers, Darien, Panama (Festa) (, MHNG) [Examined].

Pseudomyrma excavata var. jusciceps Two syntype workers, France Field, Panama (A. Bierig) [Examined].

Pseudomyrma tenuis var. guatemalensis Holotype worker, Escuintla, Guatemala [Not examined].