Pheidole vallicola

Stefan Cover (unpublished collection notes) found vallicola to favor creek banks and open woodland with a wide range of species composition, from ponderosa pine to oak, pine-oak-juniper, and oak-mesquite-sumac. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
The major of this species can be recognized by the flattened region at the base of the scape, as well as by the elongate scape, which reaches at least 3/4 of the distance between its insertion and the posterior margin of the posterior lateral lobe. The posterior half of the posterior lateral lobe is moderately to strongly shining. The dorsum of the head of the minor worker is densely punctate and opaque, erect hairs on the gaster of the major are sparse and widely spaced. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Also see the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Recorded by Stefan Cover in numerous collections at 1200–1900 m in the following mountain ranges of southeastern Arizona: Chiricahua, Dragoon, Huachuca, Pajarito, Pinal, and Sierra Ancha. (Wilson 2003) Mackay and Mackay (2002) also report this species occurring in New Mexico.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.



Biology
This species nests under stones in rocky loam soils. Brood was found in nests in July. Seeds are stored in nests. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Worker
Minor

Nomenclature

 *  vallicola. Pheidole crassicornis subsp. vallicola Wheeler, W.M. 1915b: 409 (s.w.) U.S.A. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 191. See also: Wilson, 2003: 162.

Description
From Wilson (2003): A member of the crassicornis group, similar to Pheidole crassicornis, Pheidole diversipilosa, Pheidole porcula and Pheidole tetra, but differing by the following combination of traits.

Major: pilosity consisting of sparse, very long hairs (some on first gastral tergite are 2! the maximum eye length); head in side view tapered toward occiput; rugoreticulum forms a broad swath from antennal fossa to eye on each side; carinulae along midline of dorsum of head continue to occiput; pronotum sparsely foveolate and feebly shining on sides, smooth and shiny on dorsum; postpetiole from above laterally subangulate.

Minor: petiolar node from side thin, and tapered toward apex; pilosity sparse, as illustrated; dorsum of head (except for frontal triangle and middle section of clypeus), all of mesosoma, and most of waist foveolate and opaque.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Lectotype major: HW 1.34, HL 1.44, SL 0.80, EL 0.20, PW 0.64. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.64, HL 0.70, SL 0.82, EL 0.14, PW 0.44.

COLOR Major: body light reddish brown except for gaster, which is a slightly contrasting medium reddish brown.

Minor: concolorous medium reddish brown.



'''Figure. Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
ARIZONA: Miller Canyon, Huachuca Mts., southeastern Arizona, col. W. M. Wheeler. - as reported in Wilson (2003)

Etymology
L vallicola, valley dweller, referring to the habitat of the type colony. (Wilson 2003)