Atta minuta, 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 : 105

1. Atta minuta , N. S.

Worker barely l- 12 th of an inch long, head oblong, eyes minute, advanced; thorax, narrow; abdominal pedicles long, narrow, the first much more raised than the 2 d; antennae gradually thickening of a rufous colour, with the abdomen somewhat darker or fuscous. Female about 1 / 3 d of an inch long, similar in form to the Worker, abdomen larger proportionally, and head smaller.

This minute species makes a temporary nest in various situations, in an empty box, between the back of a book and its leaves, even among the loose pages of a book, in an empty shell, & c. & c. No-thing is used in its construction, a shelter from the light merely [[ ... ]] g sougth for. It is perhaps not very numerous in individuals, [[ ... ]] wingless female is generally found in the nest. It is very com- [[ ... ]]] n in the Carnatic and most of India, but I have not seen it in Malabar. It appears to prefer dead animal matter to saccharine or vegetable products.