Pheidole grandinodus ^HNS new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

etymology L grandinodus ^HNS, large node, referring to the exceptionally large postpetiolar node.

Diagnosis A large, yellow member of the tristis ^HNS group with small eyes, exceptionally large, bell-shaped postpetiolar node, and large, bulging subpostpetiolar process. The propodeal spines are only medium-long, and in the minor fully erect. Seen from behind, the petiolar node of the major is hexagonal, with a flat top and that of the minor strongly convex.

Similar to alpinensis ^HNS, exarata ^HNS, excubitor ^HNS, gaigei ^HNS, germaini ^HNS, godmani ^HNS, grantae ^HNS, obrima ^HNS, rogeri ^HNS, severini ^HNS, stulta ^HNS, tristis ^HNS, and zoster ^HNS, differing in many details of body form, sculpturing, and pilosity, as illustrated, and in color. Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.53, HL 1.54, SL 0.82, EL 0.14, PW 0.66. Paratype minor: HW 0.54, HL 0.66, SL 0.74, EL 0.06, PW 0.40.

Color Major: head, mesosoma, and appendages reddish yellow; waist and gaster brownish yellow. Minor: body dark yellow, appendages light.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology Unknown.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. BRAZIL: 66 km north of Manaus on Caracara Road (William L. and Doris E. Brown). Scale bars = 1 mm.