Formica velox, Jerdon, T. C., 1851

Jerdon, T. C., 1851, A catalogue of the species of ants found in southern India., Madras Journal of Literature and Science 17, pp. 103-127 : 124

39. Formica velox , N. S.

Worker, length 5 - 24 th inch to 6 - 24 th head long, oblong; eyes posterior, large; jaws strongly toothed; antennae long; thorax smooth; abdominal pedicle raised, somewhat rounded, wide above-abdomen with the divisions of the segments strongly marked; legs long, colour dull blackish, with the abdomen greenish pubescent.

This Ant is very common in Malabar and I think is also found in the Carnatic. It frequents flowers, especially delighting in those that have great quantities of pollen, such as the Cucurbitaceae, Hibisci, & c. It runs very speedily, and is very easily alarmed, dropping to the ground on being touched. I have not succeeded in finding its nest.