Neivamyrmex melanocephalus (Emery) HNS

Figures 28, 80

Eciton (Acamatus) melanocephalum Emery HNS, 1895: 260 (w). MEXICO, Tepic (MHNG) .

Eciton (Neivamyrmex) melanocephalum HNS: M. R. Smith, 1942: 549 (w) (part). Creighton, 1950: 72 (part).

Neivamyrmex melanocephalus HNS: Borgmeier, 1953: 19. Borgmeier, 1955: 385 - 387 (w).

Eciton (Acamatus) melanocephalum subsp. xipe Wheeler HNS, 1914: 41; worker. MEXICO, Hidalgo, San Miguel (MCZC).

DISTRIBUTION (Map 7)

UNITED STATES: Arizona; MEXICO: south at least to Oaxaca and Morelos. SPECIMENS EXAMINED

UNITED STATES, ARIZONA: Santa Cruz Co.: Upper White Rock Campground, Pena Blanca Lake (31.39 ° N 111.08 ° W), 1200 m (GCSC, LACM) ; Nogales, on sidewalk (USNM) .

MEXICO, OAXACA: 14.5 km S Ocotlan, 1500 m (GCSC, WPMC) . MORELOS: La Luz Tetecala (WPMC) .

DISCUSSION

This rather large distinctive species is only rarely encountered in the United States and its principal range lies in Mexico and Guatemala. As discussed above, we believe that N. mandibularis HNS is the likely male of N. melanocephalus HNS, but it is also possible that N. mandibularis HNS could be the opposite sex of N. graciellae HNS.

One foraging raid of N. melanocephalus HNS was observed. It occurred in full daylight and the workers were taking a variety of small arthropods (B. V. Brown, pers. comm).