Neivamyrmex melanocephalus (Emery)

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 : 478-479

Neivamyrmex melanocephalus (Emery)

Figures 28, 80

Eciton (Acamatus) melanocephalum Emery , 1895: 260 (w). MEXICO, Tepic ( MHNG) .

Eciton (Neivamyrmex) melanocephalum : M. R. Smith, 1942: 549 (w) (part). Creighton, 1950: 72 (part).

Neivamyrmex melanocephalus : Borgmeier, 1953: 19. Borgmeier, 1955: 385 - 387 (w).

Eciton (Acamatus) melanocephalum subsp. xipe Wheeler , 1914: 41; worker. MEXICO, Hidalgo, San Miguel (MCZC).

DISTRIBUTION (Map 7)

UNITED STATES: Arizona; MEXICO: south at least to Oaxaca and Morelos. SPECIMENS EXAMINED

UNITED STATES, ARIZONA: Santa Cruz Co.: Upper White Rock Campground , Pena Blanca Lake (31.39 ° N 111.08 ° W), 1200 m ( GCSC, LACM) ; Nogales , on sidewalk ( USNM) .

MEXICO, OAXACA: 14.5 km S Ocotlan , 1500 m ( GCSC, WPMC) . MORELOS: La Luz Tetecala ( WPMC) .

DISCUSSION

This rather large distinctive species is only rarely encountered in the United States and its principal range lies in Mexico and Guatemala. As discussed above, we believe that N. mandibularis is the likely male of N. melanocephalus , but it is also possible that N. mandibularis could be the opposite sex of N. graciellae .

One foraging raid of N. melanocephalus was observed. It occurred in full daylight and the workers were taking a variety of small arthropods (B. V. Brown, pers. comm).