Sericomyrmex harekulli, Neal A. Weber, University of North Dakota, 1936

Neal A. Weber, University of North Dakota, 1936, The biology of the fungus-growing ants. Part. I. New forms. 1, Revista de Entomologia 7, pp. 378-409 : 398-399

Sericomyrmex harekulli , sp. nov. (Fig. 10)

Worker: Length 3.8-4.9 mm. - Head, excluding mandibles, 0.8 as long as wide, broadly impressed on posterior margin, sides nearly straight, gently converging to the eyes. Eyes feebly convex, posterior margin and posterior angle of clypeus on same level. Anterior lobe of clypeus with nearly straight margin. Antennal scrobes extending to occipital corners but feeble. Antennal scapes failing to reach occipital corners by a distance equal to nearly twice the distal diameter of the scapes. Terminal joint of funiculus equal in length to joints 2-5 taken together or slightly less than joints 7-9 taken together. - Thorax in profile as illustrated (Fig. 10). Viewed from above the epinotal ridges, which are very low, are strongly diverging posteriorly and terminate in slightly raised angles. - Petiole and gaster with distinct dorsal median impressions, laterally marginate.

Opaque; surface obscured by pilosity. Pilosity of numerous reclinate coarse hairs, appearing gray distally, black basally, and abundant fine subappressed and pale yellowish hairs. - Ferruginous.

Described from a colony taken by myself July 27, 1936, on the Oronoque River, tributary of the New River, main upper arm of the Courantyne River, British Guiana, in about 2°42' N. Lat. The nest of the ants was in the form of a crater leading by a narrow tunnel downward at a slight angle 8 cm. to a chamber, elliptical in form and 8 cm. high X 15 cm. wide. 5 cm. beneath this chamber was a second elliptical chamber 6 X 10 cm. In both were pendant fungus gardens with well-developed bromatia.

This species seemed fairly common in this region and the workers were never observed to form turret openings to their nests.

The species is named from the Arawak Indian name for Sericomyrmex .

From two cotypes of S. lutzi Wheeler this species differs in larger size, much shallower impression on posterior margin of head, higher posterior mesonotal tubercles, more angular epinotum, and in more abundant pubescence.