Formica gibbosa

Smith, F., 1858, Catalogue of the hymenopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part VI. Formicidae., London: British Museum : 19

66. Formica gibbosa . Pl. II. fig. 2. B.M.

Worker. Length 3 lines.-Head, scape of the antennae, thorax and legs fusco-testaceous; the flagellum, mandibles, tarsi and abdomen pale testaceous, varying sometimes in being almost entirely pale. The antennae a little longer than the head and thorax; eyes black and prominent, placed laterally about the middle of the head. Thorax not so wide as the head, the prothorax rounded at the sides, the meso- and metathorax narrower, the latter flattened and oblong-quadrate above, the lateral margins raised; behind obliquely truncate; a deep strangulation between the meso- and metathorax, the latter being elevated; the legs slightly pubescent. Abdomen globose, and covered with pale golden-yellow pubescence; the scale of the peduncle incrassate, its anterior face rounder or concave, flattened, and slightly hollowed out behind.

Hab. lndia?.

This species constructs its nest on leaves, the texture of which closely resembles that of many small species of Vespidae; in fact it is quite possible that it may take possession of a Vespidious nest, and adapt it to its own purposes: the worker greatly resembles in form that of the European species Formica lateralis .