Camponotus auratiacus

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Zhou (2001) - Resembles Camponotus badius (=Colobopsis badia), but differs from the latter in middle lobe of clypeus short; petiolar node thin; colored reddish-brown. The new species differs from Camponotus largiceps in masticatory margin of mandible with 7 teeth; petiolar node convex dorsally; tibia without longitudinal groove.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  auratiacus. Camponotus auratiacus Zhou, 2001b: 206, 245, figs. 442, 445 (s.w.q.m.) CHINA.

Worker
Holotype major: TL 14.4, HL 3.88, HW 3.69, CI 95, SL 2.25, SI 60, PW 2.48, AL 3.57, ED 0.70.

Head subtriangular, narrower anteriorly than behind, occipital slightly concave. Masticatory margin of mandible with 7 teeth, clypeus ridge-liked, with feeble· median carina, anterior border straight (but the largest major worker with anterior clypeal border concave in the middle). Antennal scapes short, not reaching occipital border. Alitrunk feebly arched; declivity of propodeum short, obliquely truncate. Petiolar node thin, anterior face slightly convex, posterior face straight. Gaster stout and long, broadly oval. Tibia of legs laterally flatten, inner border with spines, without longitudinal slot.

Mandibles with sparse pilose punctures; head, alitrunk and petiolar node delicately reticulate, still smooth and shining; gaster smooth and shining.

Erect hairs orange yellow, sparse; scattered on head and gaster; pronotum, mesonotum, propodeum and petiolar node each with 2 erect hairs (pronotum of sub-largest major worker with 4 erect hairs). Pubescence short and fine, scattered on the whole body. Color reddish brown, mandibles, anterior of head and apex of gaster darker; antennal funicular segments and legs lighter.

Paratypes 2 major: TL 10.8~11.0, HL 2.86~2.89, HW 2.73~2.76, CI 94~95, SL 1.91~1.98, SI 69~71, PW 1.69~1.72, AL 3.03~3.26, ED 0.55~0.56.

Paratypes 5 median and minor: TL 7.1~9.3, HL 1.60~2.20, HW 1.38~2.07, CI 86~94, SL 1.63~1.98, SI 95~118, PW 1.10~1.41, AL 2.35~2.95, ED 0.40~ 0.44. Head narrower than that of major worker, narrower toward occiput from the level of the posterior border of eyes. Masticatory margin of mandible with 6 teeth. antennal scapes 1/3 of their length extending beyond occipital border. Alitrunk slender; petiolar node low and thick, triangular in profile view. Other characters as in major worker.

Queen
TL 16.0~17.8. Vertex with 3 ocelli. Antennal scapes 1/5 of their length extending beyond occipital border. Alitrunk stout; Mesonotum longitudinally elliptical, dorsum flat; mesoscutellum as high as mesonotum; basal face of propodeum short, rounded into declivity; with wings; petiolar node thin, anterior face convex, posterior face straight. Gaster stout. Sculptures as in major worker but feebler, smoother. Pilosity as in major worker, but mesoscutellum with 6 erect hairs, petiolar node without hair. Color as in major worker.

Male
TL 6.8. Head elongate. Mandible only with indistinct apical tooth. Eyes and ocelli conspicuous. Antennal scapes 1/2 of their length extending beyond occipital border. Alitrunk as in female. Petiolar node thick, conical. Gaster slender, external genital organ developed, long erect hairs mixed up with short erect hairs as well as pubescence. Color dark brown, mandibles, antennal funicular segments and tarsi of legs lighter.

Type Material
Holotype major worker, Bobai County, 3.VIII.1995, Hengwei Luo leg. Paratypes: 2 major worker, 6 minor worker, 2 female, 1 male, data as holotype.