Formica fabricator

Smith, F., 1858, Catalogue of the hymenopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part VI. Formicidae., London: British Museum : 35-36

119. Formica fabricator . B.M.

Female. Length 5 1/2 lines.-Black, smooth and shining: the flagellum, legs, thorax at the sides, and beneath, the apex of the metathorax and the base of the thorax beneath, pale rufo-testaceous. Head subquadrate and emarginate behind; the clypeus subcarinate in the middle, above which in the centre between the antennae is a slightly impressed line of the same length as the carina on each side of it; eyes ovate, placed rather high on the sides of the head. Thorax elongate-ovate. Abdomen ovate; the scale of the peduncle subovate and entire.

Worker major. Length 3 1/2 lines.-Of a paler colour than the female; the head and the thorax above rufo-piceous; the legs, thorax beneath, and the scale, pale; head large, much wider than the thorax or abdomen, the thorax much compressed behind; the scale narrow, elongate, and rounded above.

Worker minor. Length 2 1/2 lines.-Differs from the large worker in having the bead narrower and the thorax more elongate; it is also rather darker-coloured.

Hab. St. Helena.