Pheidole tetroides ^HNS new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

etymology Gr tetroides ^HNS, similar to tetra ^HNS (species of Pheidole ^HNS), four, significance unknown.

Diagnosis A member of the fallax ^HNS group resembling the species listed in the heading above in various characters, distinguished as follows.

Major: in full-face view the occipital margin is deep, with a subangular nadir; rugoreticulum of head extends in a swath from eye to antennal fossa; carinulae of dorsal surface of head extend almost to midpoint between level of eyes and level of occiput, and foveolation extends well beyond the midpoint; humerus in dorsal-oblique view angulate, and pronotal profile bilobose; propodeal spines strongly developed; postpetiole from above elliptical, with angulate lateral margins; anterior and posterior margins of pronotal dorsum carinulate.

Minor: closely resembles that of tetra ^HNS in the crassicornis ^HNS group (q.v.).

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.16, HL 1.24, SL 0.76, EL 0.18, PW 0.64.

Paratype minor: HW 0.56, HL 0.66, SL 0.76, EL 0.14, PW 0.40.

color Major: light reddish brown except for gaster, which is medium reddish brown.

Minor: concolorous plain medium brown; appendages light brown, changing to yellow on the tarsi.

Range Known only from the type locality.

biology The types were attracted to a bait at night.

Figure Holotype, major. [Paratype minors closely resemble minors of tetra ^HNS (q.v.).] MEXICO: 38 km southeast of Tepic, Nayarit, 1220 m (R. J. Hamton). Scale bar = 1 mm.