Pheidole rubiceps ^HNS new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology L rubiceps ^HNS, red-headed.

diagnosis A member of the fallax ^HNS group, closest to cardinalis ^HNS, caribbaea ^HNS, kukrana ^HNS, mantilla ^HNS, and obscurior ^HNS (also scan alienata ^HNS, fallax ^HNS, jelskii ^HNS, laniger ^HNS, lattkei ^HNS, lovejoyi, petrensis ^HNS, puttemansi ^HNS, roushae ^HNS, susannae ^HNS, tobini ^HNS), and distinguished by the following combination of traits.

Major: tip of antennal scape approaches occipital corner to within scape maximum width; posterior dorsal profde of head very weakly concave; bicolorous, with reddish yellow head and brown body; propodeal spine long and thin; postpetiole diamondshaped; pronotum bare of carinulae.

Minor: propodeal spine moderately long and very thin (needle-like); mesonotal convexity angulate; nuchal collar present. Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.22, HL 1.36, SL 1.12, EL 0.20, PW 0.60. Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.82, SL 1.20, EL 0.16, PW 0.42.

color Major: bicolorous, with head and mandibles reddish yellow and body a contrasting plain medium brown; legs light brown except for tarsi, which are yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

biology Unknown.

figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. VENEZUELA: Rancho Grande, 1100 m (R. W. Poole). Scale bars = 1 mm.