Pseudolasius gowdeyi Wheeler
Type location Uganda (Wheeler, 1922: 223, illustrated, soldier
& worker); soldier and worker only described (see Bolton, 1995)
.
Wheeler's description was -
WORKER MAJOR - length 2.5 mm. Head as broad as long, subrectangular,
as broad in front as behind, with straight sides and feebly but
distinctly excised posterior border. Eyes absent. Mandibles with five
acute teeth on their oblique apical borders, the median tooth small,
the apical twice as long as the other three. Clypeus convex but not
carinate, its anterior border nearly straight. Antennae slender, the
scapes extending about one-fifth their length beyond the posterior
corners of the head; the second funicular joint not longer than broad,
the succeeding joints slightly longer than broad. Thorax short and
robust, the pro- and mesonotum forming together an evenly rounded
convexity; mesopleura somewhat compressed; propodeum short, nearly
horizontal, lower than the mesonotum, passing through a curve into the
sloping, flat declivity. Petiolar scale narrowed above, its sides
curved, its superior border rather blunt, truncated, entire. Gaster
elliptical. Legs rather short. Whole body smooth and shining, except
the mandibles) which are opaque and very finely and densely striated.
Integument of the body and appendages apparently microscopically but
not densely punctate. Hairs and pubescence white, the former sparse,
conspicuous only on the clypeus, thorax, and gaster, the appendages
being without erect hairs. Pubescence short, rather dense on the head
and gaster, longer on the latter, slightly oblique on the scapes and
legs. Pale yellow, the head and thorax a little darker, mandibular
teeth dark brown.
WORKER MINOR - length 1.8 to 2 mm. Differing from the major worker
in its smaller head, which is elongate and with very feeble occipital
excision. Antennal scapes reaching nearly one-fourth their length
beyond the posterior corners of the head; joints 2 to 6 of the
funicuhls as broad as long.
Described from two major and sixteen minor workers taken by Mr. C.
C. Gowdey at Entebbe, Uganda. They were found attending subterranean
coccids (Risso) about the roots of coffee. This is readily
distinguished from all the preceding species by its smaller size,
paler color, the complete absence of eyes even in the major workers,
the shape of the head and thorax, and the pilosity. |