Formicinae, Formicidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia
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Range
Costa Rica (montane forest habitats from 700m to 1500m, known from Cordilleras de Tilaran, Volcanica Central, and Talamanca).
Identification
Minor worker: scapes with sparse, subdecumbent pubescence, and with 1-3 differentiated erect setae scattered along shaft of scape; cheeks with sparse projecting erect setae, more dense near mandibular insertions; dorsal and posterior faces of propodeum subequal in length, flat, meeting at a distinct angle; dorsal profile of pronotum, mesonotum, and dorsal face of propodeum form even convexity; face densely micropunctate, mesosoma sublucid over microreticulate sculpture, gaster shagreened; first gastral tergite nearly devoid of appressed pubescence, and with sparse erect setae; integument orange throughout, with infuscated bands on gaster.
Major worker: head subquadrate; lateral margins of head with sparse projecting setae; other characters generally as in minor worker.
Natural History
This species inhabits montane wet forest habitats, and forages on low vegetation. I have collected it 13 times, including several nest collections. The nests have all been in small dead sticks and vine stems, down to 6mm inner diameter. When nests are disturbed, the workers are very timid. I have found this species to be host to mermithid (nematode) parasites and microhymenopteran parasitoids.
Page author:
John T. Longino, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA.longinoj@evergreen.edu
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