Neivamyrmex melanocephalus

Snelling and Snelling (2007) - This rather large distinctive species is only rarely encountered in the United States and its principal range lies in Mexico and Guatemala. One foraging raid of N. melanocephalus was observed. It occurred in full daylight and the workers were taking a variety of small arthropods (B. V. Brown, pers. comm). We believe that Neivamyrmex mandibularis is the likely male of N. melanocephalus, but it is also possible that N. mandibularis could be the opposite sex of Neivamyrmex graciellae.

Identification
Key to the Neivamyrmex species of the United States

Distribution
United States: Arizona; Mexico: south at least to Oaxaca and Morelos.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Guatemala, Mexico.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  melanocephalus. Eciton melanocephalum Emery, 1895c: 260 (footnote) (w.) MEXICO. Combination in E. (Neivamyrmex): Smith, M.R. 1942c: 549; in Neivamyrmex: Borgmeier, 1953: 6. Senior synonym of xipe: Smith, M.R. 1942c: 549; Borgmeier, 1953: 19. See also: Borgmeier, 1955: 385; Snelling, G.C. & Snelling, R.R., 2007: 479.
 * xipe. Eciton (Acamatus) melanocephalum subsp. xipe Wheeler, W.M. 1914b: 41 (w.) MEXICO. Junior synonym of melanocephalus: Smith, M.R. 1942c: 549; Borgmeier, 1953: 19.