Camponotus ruficeps, Fabr

Forel, A., 1893, Formicides de l'Antille St. Vincent. Récoltées par Mons. H. H. Smith., Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1893, pp. 333-418 : 333-334

1. Camponotus ruficeps, Fabr .

, [[ worker ]] major et minor; [[ queen ]] (No. 2).

(2). Forest or open places, 3000 ft. to sea-level; pretty common. Formicarium under bark of dead standing trees or stumps; sometimes at roots of Bromeliae growing on trees, and occasionally under stones on dry ground. Several hundred individuals are found in a formicarium. When disturbed they are active and pugnacious. The workers minor are often seen on trees and foliage during the day, but I believe that the species is mainly nocturnal.

(2 a). Collected at various places, 3000 ft. to seashore.

(2 b). Seashore, - southern end of the island at the " Villa " Estate. Oct. 14 th. Many ants were found under a block of coral lying on the sands, but I could find no young; and perhaps this was not a nest.

(2 c). Bowwood Valley, near Kingstown, 800 ft. Oct. 21 st. Formicarium under stone; open, dry hill-side.

(2 d). Richmond Estate; open valley. Oct. 31 st. Formicarium in a rotten stump.

(2 e). " Villa " Estate; southern end of island. ' Nov. 20 th. A small colony in a curled dried leaf in rubbish on the ground; shady place by seashore.

(2 f). Hermitage Estate, Cumberland Valley, 1000 ft. Open hill-side; lower side of a log. Formicarium was in a hollow of the log, about 3 x 2 x 2 in., apparently made by the ants; the opening of the cavity was walled in by a thin fabric of wood-fibre, pretty strong; through the middle of this was a hole for exit. The colony was small (about 100 workers). I could find no male nor female, and no other chambers were discovered.

(2 g). Windward side; sea-coast near Georgetown. Jan. 3 rd. On bushes.