Formica timida, Jerdon, T. C., 1851

Jerdon, T. C., 1851, A catalogue of the species of ants found in southern India., Madras Journal of Literature and Science 17, pp. 103-127 : 122

36. Formica timida , N. S.

Worker, length 9.24 th of an inch long; head oblong, oval; eyes large, posterior; jaws triangular, strongly toothed; thorax smooth; abdominal pedicle raised, conical; colour dingy rufous, darkest on the head, and tinged with dusky on the abdomen. All the body covered with long scattered hairs.

Warrior, 1 / 2 an inch long; differs from the ordinary Worker in the head being much larger proportionally, and notched pro-porteriorly; thorax thicker; and the abdomen shorter.

Female, like Worker, but somewhat larger, with wings, and 3 ocelli., Male, 7 - 24 th of an inch long; thorax much elevated; eyes largo; head small; 3 ocelli; wings reach beyond the abdomen ..

I have only found this Ant on the Malabar Coast where it is very common, living chiefly on vegetable secretions. It has its nest-under ground. It is very different in habit from the other large red Ant ( F. smaragdina ) being most timid, and if approached or touched, dropping to the ground at once and hiding itself. It does not always confine itself to vegetable matter. On one occasion I had a box of pigeons containing some squabs placed in a room on the floor. I next morning found several of the squabs dead covered with these Ants chiefly however the warriors.