Pheidole perpusilla

Longino, J. T., 2009, Additions to the taxonomy of New World Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 2181, pp. 1-90 : 60-61

Pheidole perpusilla

Pheidole flavens subsp. perpusilla Emery, 1894:157 . Syntype major, minor worker, gyne: Brazil, Para (Schulz). Emery, 1896 g: 80: raised to species.

Pheidole flavens var. breviscapa Forel, 1899: 77 . Holotype major worker: Guatemala, Retalhuleu (Stoll) [ MHNG] (examined). Wilson, 2003: 383: raised to species. New synonymy.

Pheidole decem Forel, 1901a: 366 . Syntype major worker: Trinidad. Wilson, 2003: 553: junior synonym of P. perpusilla .

Pheidole (Hendecapheidole) emersoni Wheeler , W.M. 1922: 4, fig. 2. Syntype minor worker, gyne, male: Guyana, Kartabo (Emerson). Wilson, 2003: 553: junior synonym of P. perpusilla .

Geographic Range

Amazonian Brazil to southern Mexico.

Biology

This species occurs in wet climate areas, from sea level to 1200m elevation. In mature forest areas it is a common species under epiphytes in the canopy, although its minute size makes it easy to overlook. It also occurs on trees in synanthropic habitats such as coffee farms and city parks.

Comments

The holotype of P. breviscapa has 10-segmented antennae and is a close match to Costa Rican material of P. perpusilla .