Pheidole dryas

The type series, representing either one or several colonies, was found in mature wet forest under epiphyte mats in a canopy tree (Longino 1997).

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Atlantic slope of Cordillera Central, Costa Rica (Longino 1997).

This taxon was described from Costa Rica.

Description
A unique medium-sized, yellowish brown species whose major has a heart-shaped head, when mandibles are included, in full-face view; all of the dorsal head surface, including the clypeus but excluding the occiput, densely covered by longitudinal carinulae; conspicuously swollen hind femur; and angulate subpostpetiolar process.

There is some similarity to Pheidole erratilis, Pheidole nitella and Pheidole pygmaea, but many differences in body form, sculpturing, and color.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.94, HL 1.02, SL 0.46, EL 0.10, PW 0.54. Paratype minor: HW 0.50, HL 0.56, SL 0.42, EL 0.06, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: gaster light yellowish brown, rest of body and appendages dark yellow.

Minor: concolorous light yellowish brown.



'''Figure. Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Locality Information
COSTA RICA: Braulio Carrillo National Park, Heredia, 500 m, col. J. T. Longino.

Etymology
L, Gr Dryas, in classical mythology, a wood nymph whose life was that of her tree, referring to the arboricolous nesting habit of the species.

Additional References
Text and images from this publication used by permission of the author.