Pheidole pepo ^HNS new species

types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology Gr pepo ^HNS, melon, alluding to the unusual head shape of the major.

diagnosis A large, yellow member of the tristis ^HNS group, similar to rotundiceps ^HNS, sphaerica ^HNS, and subsphaerica ^HNS, easily distinguished by the following traits.

Major: head greatly swollen; clypeus and mandibles reduced proportionate to the head; outline of head in full-face view almost completely devoid of pilosity; in side view, profiles of both anterior dorsal half and anterior ventral half of head capsule densely pilose, but profiles of posterior dorsal and ventral halves bare of pilosity; propodeal spines long and acute. Minor: body slender; occiput narrowed, with nuchal collar; propodeal spines long and slender, i.e., needle-like. Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.78, HL 1.66, SL 1.02, EL 0.22, PW 0.84. Paratype minor: HW 0.64, HL 0.80, SL 1.06, EL 0.16, PW 0.44.

Color Major: head and appendages medium yellow; mesosoma, waist, and gaster yellowish brown.

Minor: concolorous dark yellow.

range Known only from the type locality.

biology Collected in spiny bamboo (Guadua) forest.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. COLOMBIA: Finca Los Guaduales, 10 km southwest of San Jose del Palmar, Rio Torito, Choco, 800 m (Charles Kugler). Scale bars = 1 mm.