Neivamyrmex minor (Cresson)

Snelling, G. C. & Snelling, R. R., 2007, New synonymy, new species, new keys to Neivamyrmex army ants of the United States., Advances in ant systematics (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Homage to E. O. Wilson - 50 years of contributions. (Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 80), pp. 459-550 : 481

Neivamyrmex minor (Cresson)

Figures 104, 105, 116, 130, 141

Labidus minor Cresson , 1872: 195 (m). U. S. A., Texas ( ANSP) .

Eciton (Labidus) minor : Mayr, 1886: 441 (m). Emery, 1895: 261 (m).

Eciton (Acamatus) minus : Wheeler, 1908: 418 (m).

Eciton (Neivamyrmex) minus : M. R. Smith, 1942: 544 (m). Creighton, 1950: 73 (m). Neivamyrmex minor : Borgmeier, 1955: 630 - 632 (m). Watkins, 1976: 25 (m). Wheeler & Wheeler, 1986: 20. Cokendolpher & Francke, 1990: 11.

DISTRIBUTION (Map 8)

UNITED STATES: Texas to Kansas, west to southern Nevada and California; MEXICO: Baja California, Baja California Sur, Coahuila (Watkins, 1982).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED

We have 64 records from the United States.

DISCUSSION

Neivamyrmex minor is certainly one of the more widespread species. Occurring in a wide variety of habitats it is one of the most frequently encountered Neivamyrmex species, and is commonly collected at light. The female castes are currently unknown but, based on ranges, we posit that N. leonardi will prove to be the worker.

Although this species has been collected in variety of habitats, it has only rarely been collected in the desert areas of the west. Elevational amplitude ranges from near sea level to about 7000 feet. Automontage images of this ant are available at antweb. org.