Myrmecocystus Mexicanus

Smith, F., 1858, Catalogue of the hymenopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part VI. Formicidae., London: British Museum : 200

Myrmecocystus Mexicanus .

Myrmecocystus mexicanus, Wesm. Bull. Acad. Brux. (1838)

p. 770. pl. fig. [[worker]].

Hab. Mexico.

Only workers of this singular species of Ant are described; they are of two very distinct forms; the plate which illustrates the paper exhibits the small worker of the ordinary form, but the larger worker is represented with its abdomen swollen into an immense globular receptacle; this is effected by the distension of the membrane which connects the segments. The account for- warded to M. Wesmael by M. de Normann, the discoverer of the species, is, that the latter individuals are inactive, do not quit the nest, and that their sole occupation is to elaborate a kind of honey, which they discharge into receptacles.