Pheidole caffra senilifrons

Taylor et al. (2018) found this ground nesting taxon in a Mangifera indica (mango) orchard in Benin, often as prey of Oecophylla longinoda. It is ground nesting.

Identification
A member of the speculifera species group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nomenclature

 *  senilifrons. Pheidole caffra subsp. senilifrons Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 130, fig. 32 (s.w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.
 * Subspecies of caffra: Bolton, 1995b: 329.

Taxonomic Notes
Taylor et al. (2018) - It is quite clear from the original Emery description and the type image, CASENT0904210, that true Pheidole caffra does not have strongly marked sculpturation on the occiput and the frontal carinae reach the posterior quarter of the head; the colour also is given as ferruginous, dull with the gaster piceous and shiny.

They then propose treating this taxon as a full species, a treatment not followed by later authors.