Forelius keiferi

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  keiferi. Forelius foetidus subsp. keiferi Wheeler, W.M. 1934f: 141 (w.q.m.) MEXICO. Subspecies of mccooki: Shattuck, 1994: 94. Raised to species: Cuezzo, 2000: 246.

Worker
Length 2.3-2.5 mm.

Differing from faetidus  (Forelius mccooki?) from Texas in the following characters: Color somewhat deeper and more reddish, with the legs paler, yellowish, and the last gastric segment fuscous. Head broader behind, distinctly narrowed anteriorly, posterior border somewhat more excavated; antennal scapes and legs longer, the former reaching one-fourth their length beyond the posterior border (in the typical form only one-fifth); mesoepinotal impression in profile deeper and more acute, epinotum more convex, evenly rounded, without distinct base and declivity; superior border of petiolar scale with a much less acute median point; tibiae without fine oblique hairs.

Queen
Length 5-5.5 mm.

Differing from faetidus in the somewhat longer and more anteriorly narrowed mesonotum, the absence of black spots at the insertions of the fore wings, much less sharply bounded dark fasciae on the gaster, paler wing veins and absence of oblique hairs on the legs.

Male
Length about 1.8 mm.

Like the typical faetidus but the head, thorax and appendages paler brown, the veins and pterostigma of the wings colorless and the scapes and legs without oblique hairs.

Type Material
Described from numerous workers and four males from Gray. son Cove, (V.2.25) and numerous females from Braithwaite Bay, Socorro Island (V.10.'25).