Camponotus bellacolor

Specimens of Camponotus bellacolor were found nesting under stones. One of the nests (7659) was found with Pachycondyla sp. The habitat was subtropical forest with pines and 7 different species of oaks. It was warm and dry and few insects were active. The soil was light brown and rocky, dry with excellent drainage. There was abundant organic matter in the soil.

Compare with Camponotus modoc, Camponotus schaefferi, Camponotus texanus.

The majors and minors of C. bellacolor are deep red in color with a black gaster and suberect setae are sparse and present on the clypeus (mostly along the borders), between the frontal carinae, extending back to the posterior margin, on the ventral surface of the head, on the dorsum of the mesosoma, petiole and gaster. Erect and suberect setae are absent on the cheeks, sides of the head, posterior lateral corners, scapes (except at the apex) and tibiae (except for bristles on the flexor surface). Most surfaces are dull.

Comparisons
Camponotus bellacolor could be confused with Camponotus schaefferi (New Mexico, Arizona) or Camponotus texanus (western Texas), as the lateral processes on the anterior margin of the clypeus are moderately developed. Camponotus bellacolor could be separated on the basis of color, as the head and mesosoma are red, gaster black, as compared to C. schaefferi which is concolorous reddish orange and C. texanus which has a dark head and gaster, with a lighter colored mesosoma. The dorsum of the gaster of C. bellacolor is dull, whereas in the other two species it is glossy and shining.

Camponotus bellacolor is similar to Camponotus modoc (Canada, USA, northern Mexico), but differs in color (C. modoc is dark with red legs).

Distribution
Known only from the type locality in northeastern MEXICO (Nuevo León, Parque Chipinque near Monterrey) (Mackay, 2019).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  bellacolor. Camponotus (Camponotus) bellacolor Mackay, 2019: 176, figs. 216-218, pls 4, 5 (s.w.) MEXICO.

Major worker measurements (mm): HL 2.90 - 3.26, HW 2.90 - 3.34, SL 3.00 - 3.06, EL 0.61 - 0.64, CL 1.01 - 1.16, CW 1.09 - 1.18, WL 3.70 - 4.12, FFL 2.54 - 2.64, FFW 0.71 - 0.74. Indices: CI 100 - 102, SI 94 - 103, CLI 101 - 107, FFI 28.

Mandible with 5 teeth; anterior border of clypeus weakly concave or notched medially; head somewhat heart-shaped, narrowed anteriorly, posterior margin concave or notched medially; eyes failing to reach sides of head by nearly 1 minimum diameter; scape extending 2 funicular segments past posterior lateral corner of head; propodeum weakly angulate between 2 faces of equal length, spiracle oblong; petiole moderately wide in profile, strongly convex as seen from front.

Erect and suberect setae present on clypeus, including few setae on disc, present along frontal carinae and area between carinae, extending posteriorly to posterior margin, present on mesosoma, petiole and all surfaces of gaster, erect and suberect setae absent on tibiae, except for double row of bristles along flexor surface; appressed pubescence sparse, scattered tiny setae on head, dorsum of mesosoma and dorsum of gaster, setae do not overlap adjacent setae.

Head densely and evenly punctate, coriaceous posteriorly, surface with few scattered, larger punctures, especially on sides of head, mesosoma finely punctate to coriaceous dorsally, gaster very finely and transversely striolate, all surfaces dull.

Head, mesosoma appendages red, gaster black.

Minor worker measurements (mm): HL 2.04 - 2.50, HW 1.64 - 2.22, SL 2.64 - 2.86, EL 0.48 - 0.53, CL 0.64 - 0.81, CW 0.85 - 1.00, WL 3.24 - 3.38, FFL 2.04- 2.30, FFW 0.54 - 0.63. Indices: CI 80 - 89, SI 114 - 129, CLI 123 - 133, FFI 26 - 27.

Minor worker similar to major worker, except head more elongate, eyes nearly reach sides of head, scape extends half-length past posterior lateral corner, pilosity, sculpture and color as in major worker.