Lepisiota layla Wachkoo, Bharti and Akbar, 2021 (Fig. 7D–F)

Lepisiota layla Wachkoo, Bharti and Akbar 2021: 232 . Type workers, Kotla, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Material examined

INDIA: Madhya Pradesh: Pachmarhi, 22°28 ʹ 50”N 78°26 ʹ 29”E, 1050 m, 3 workers, 07.IX.2020, Coll. A. Harshana .

Measurements and indices

Workers (N = 2). EL: 0.19; HL: 0.59–0.61; HW: 0.57–0.60; MML: 0.32; PH: 0.26–0.27; PRW: 0.41–0.42; SL: 0.62–0.65; TL: 2.76–2.81; WL: 0.87–0.89; CI: 97–98; OI: 33–32; REL: 31–32; SI: 108–109.

Description (Worker): Head

Head slightly longer than broad, subquadrate, sides weakly convex, posterior margin almost straight, posterolateral corners rounded (Fig. 7F); palp formula 6,4 and third maxillary segment from base longest of all segments while sixth segment distinctly longer than the fifth segment; mandible with five teeth on masticatory margin, third tooth from apex smaller than the fourth tooth; antennae 11 segmented, antennal scape extending to posterior margin of head not more than 1/3 rd of its length, antennal insertions touching posterior clypeal margin; clypeus dorsally convex, subcarinate at the middle, having sub-erect comparatively long pubescent hairs, posterior margin with a pair of long erect setae, anterior margin with two pairs of long erect setae with a median seta, anterior clypeal margin weakly convex; eyes broadly oval, weakly convex, placed little behind mid-length of the head; three ocelli present.

Mesosoma

Promesonotum convex, higher than remaining mesosoma in profile view (Fig. 7D); propodeum with broad, thick, posteriorly diverging spines and propodeal declivity steep; fore tibiae having pectinate spur at the distal end, basitarsus having a hairy notch at the proximal end.

Metasoma

Petiole dorsally with angular sides, without distinct teeth or spines, shallowly emarginated, and sides slightly convex; acidopore well-developed and fringed with hairs.

Head, mesosoma, and metasoma covered with abundant whitish long erect setae (Fig. 7D–F); legs with sub-erect to erect comparatively short whitish setae; antennal scape with sub-erect to erect setae while funicular segments with sub-erect to decumbent pubescence; mandibular surfaces with fine setae.

Sculpture and colour

Head, mesosoma, and metasoma are smooth and shining except for rugose mesometapleuron. Body uniformly black; antennal scape (except the distal end), tarsi of legs yellowish-brown; mandible, the distal end of antennal scape, funicular segments of antennae brown.

Comments

Lepisiota layla seems to be a rare species. It shows similarities with the South African species, Lepisiota capensis junodi (Forel, 1916), in having numerous whitish erect setae all over the body but it differs by lack of bispinose petiole. Distribution in India: Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh*.