Pseudomyrmex ita ( Forel 1906 ) Ward, Philip S., 1993

Ward, Philip S., 1993, Systematic studies on Pseudomyrmex acacia-ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 2, pp. 117-168 : 158

Pseudomyrmex ita ( Forel 1906) stat. nov.

(Fig. 2)

Pseudomyrma sericea var. ita Forel 1906:230 . Syntype workers, San Mateo , Costa Rica (P. Biolley) ( MHNG) [Examined], One syntype here designated LECTOTYPE .

Pseudomyrma sericea var. acaciarum Wheeler 1942: 176 . Syntype workers, Tumba Muerta Road , Panama (W. M. Wheeler) ( LACM, MCZC) [Examined] Syn. nov.

Pseudomyrma sericea var. acaciorum Enzmann 1945:90 . Syntype workers, Tumba Muerta Road , Panama (W. M. Wheeler) ( MCZC) [Examined] [Objective synonym of Pseudomyrma sericea var. acaciarum Wheeler ; Brown 1949:43] .

Pseudomyrmex sericeus ita (Forel) ; Kempf 1972:223.

Worker diagnosis. - A medium-sized member (HW ca. 0.75-0.98) of the P. sericeus group, with large elongate eyes (REL ≈0.65), convex median clypeal lobe, subcontiguous frontal carinae (MFC ≈0.02), and palp formula of 6,4. Head longer than broad (Cl≈0.85). Basal face of propodeum shorter than declivitous face and meeting the latter at an angle. Petiole short, high (PLI> 1.00), with sharp dorsolateral margins; in profile anterior and dorsal faces of petiole weakly differentiated, rounding sharply into the vertical posterior face (Fig. 2). Body with fine punctulate-coriarious sculpture, opaque. Standing pilosity very sparse; a pair of stout setae present on the pronotal humeri, petiole, and postpetiole. Dark brown-black, with lighter brown maculation variably present on the pronotum, petiole, postpetiole, fronto-clypeal complex, and appendages.

Taxonomic comments. - This is one of several species originally described as “varieties” of P. sericeus (Mayr) . Workers of P. ita can be distinguished from those of P. sericeus by the angulate shape of their petiole, especially in lateral view (Fig. 2); the petiole of P. sericeus is subtriangular in profile, with more gently rounded edges.

Distribution and biology. - P. ita occurs from Mexico to Colombia, and typically inhabits dead twigs or branches of various woody plants. It has been collected from thorns of Acacia cornigera in Mexico and A. collinsii in Costa Rica and Panama.