Anoplolepis custodiens

Distribution
This taxon was described from South Africa (Port Natal). It is also found in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique.

Biology
This species has been found attached by its mandibles to the leg of a species of Pausus.

Nomenclature

 *  custodiens. Formica custodiens Smith, F. 1858b: 33 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Mayr, 1895: 148 (m.); Emery, 1895h: 44 (q.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1953c: 135 (l.). Combination in Plagiolepis: Emery, 1892a: 117; in Plagiolepis (Anoplolepis): Santschi, 1914b: 123; in Plagiolepis (Zealleyella): Arnold, 1922: 586; in Anoplolepis: Emery, 1925b: 17. Senior synonym of hendecarthrus: Mayr, 1865: 54; of berthoudi: Forel, 1879a: 91. See also: Prins, 1982: 218. Current subspecies: nominal plus detrita, hirsuta, pilipes.
 * hendecarthrus. Camponotus hendecarthrus Roger, 1863a: 132 (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA. Junior synonym of custodiens: Mayr, 1865: 54.
 * berthoudi. Formica berthoudi Forel, 1876: 33 (w.) LESOTHO. Junior synonym of custodiens: Forel, 1879a: 91.

Description
Worker. Length 2 lines. Head, thorax and legs ferruginous, and covered with a silky cinereous pile. Head emarginate behind. The thorax deeply strangulated at the base of the metathorax; the scale of the peduncle narrow, incrassate, obtuse above. Abdomen ovate, black, and covered with grey silky pile.