Pheidole hector ^HNS new species

Types iNBio.

etymology Gr Hector, legendary Trojan hero.

Diagnosis A large, bicolorous brown-and-yellow member of the fallax ^HNS group with exceptionally long propodeal spines, especially in the minor, dense pilosity, and angulate mesonotal convexity.

Similar to ajax ^HNS, fiorii ^HNS, jaculifera ^HNS, and lourothi ^HNS, differing in many details of body form, sculpturing, and pilosity, as illustrated, as well as in color.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.54, HL 1.64, SL 1.36, EL 0.22, PW 0.78. Paratype minor: HW 0.78, HL 1.00, SL 1.46, EL 0.20, PW 0.56.

color Major: body medium brown; genae anterior to eyes, as well as mandibles and tarsi, a contrasting yellow.

Minor: body medium brown, legs light brown, tarsi yellow.

range Known only from the type locality.

Biology Under dead wood in moist forest (Longino 1997).

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. COSTA RICA: Wilson Botanical Garden, 4 km south of San Vito, Puntarenas, 1200 m (J. T. Longino). Scale bars = 1 mm.