Pheidole hecate Wheeler

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 544

Pheidole hecate Wheeler

Pheidole hecate Wheeler 1911 a: 26. Syn.: Pheidole hecate subsp. malevola Wheeler 191 la: 27, n. syn.; Pheidole hecate subsp. bruesi Wheeler 1917g: 460, name unavailable, unresolved primary homonym of Pheidole triconstricta var. bruesi Wheeler 191 lb: 169.

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

etymology Gr Hecate, goddess of magic and witchcraft.

Diagnosis A member of the granulata group (4-segmented antennae), unique in both castes in the very long propodeal spines and completely carinulate mesosoma.

Measurements (mm) Lectotype major: HW 1.20, HL 1.18, SL 0.86, EL 0.20, PW 0.62. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.72, HL 0.78, SL 0.92, EL 0.16, PW 0.48. Color Major: body very dark reddish brown, appendages light to medium brown. Minor: body blackish brown, appendages medium brown.

Range An apparent Jamaican endemic, hecate has been recorded from the following localities on the island: Hardwar Gap, Kingston, Newton, Troy, and southwest side of the main range, Blue Mountains, variously at 600-900 m.

Biology Unknown.

figure Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. JAMAICA: Troy. Scale bars = 1 mm.