Pheidole occipitalis neutralis

Taylor et al. (2018) observed this taxon in a Mangifera indica (mango) orchard in Benin, foraging and nesting in and on the ground, as prey of Oecophylla longinoda, and on Anacardium occidentale (cashew).

Identification
A member of the speculifera species group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Benin, Guinea.

Nomenclature

 *  neutralis. Pheidole occipitalis st. neutralis Santschi, 1914d: 336 (s.w.) GUINEA.

Taxonomic Notes
Taylor et al. (2018) state that this taxon is separable from Pheidole occipitalis by the darker colour and on the major the spiculate sculpture on the postpetiole and base of the gaster. They then propose to treat it as a full species. This treatment has not been accepted by later authors.