Atta clypeata

Smith, F., 1858, Catalogue of the hymenopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part VI. Formicidae., London: British Museum : 168-170

30. Atta clypeata . B.M.

Female. Length 3 lines.-Rufo-ferruginous, shining, and

pubescent. Head subquadrate, emarginate behind, and having a deep central longitudinal channel; the ocelli large and promi- nent; the clypeus concave, its anterior angles produced, forming two acute points; the mandibles dark ferruginous, coarsely striated, and armed with three acute teeth at their apex. Thorax ovate, very smooth and shining on the disk. Abdomen ovate, truncate at the base; the nodes of the petiole transverse, the first produced into a point in the middle of its upper margin.

The male is about the same size as the female, the thorax rufo-testaceous, the legs and antennae pale testaceous, the head and abdomen dark fuscous, the mandibles and palpi pale testa- ceous. The clypeus prominent, the ocelli very large; wings hyaline, with the nervures pale testaceous; the nodes of the peduncle compressed and transverse; the upper margin of the first node emarginate.

Hab. Mexico.

Of three examples received, not two agree in colouring: the specimen described I take to be the usual appearance of the insect; the second has the head anteriorly, the tibiae and tarsi ferruginous, the rest of the body black; the third variety is black, with only a faint tinge of red on the face and mandibles.