Pheidole vigilans Fr. Smith 1858
In this section
-
Ants of New Zealand
- Amblyopone australis
- Austroponera castanea
- Austroponera castaneicolor
- Cardiocondyla minutior
- Chelaner antarcticus
- Chelaner smithii
- Discothyrea antarctica
- Doleromyrma darwiniana
- Fulakora saundersi
- Heteroponera brouni
- Huberia brounii
- Huberia striata
- Hypoponera eduardi
- Hypoponera punctatissima
- Iridomyrmex undescribed
- Linepithema humile
- Mayriella abstinens
- Monomorium antipodum
- Monomorium floricola
- Monomorium pharaonis
- Monomorium sydneyense
- Nylanderia spp
- Ochetellus glaber
- Orectognathus antennatus
- Pheidole megacephala
- Pheidole proxima
- Pheidole rugosula
- Pheidole vigilans
- Ponera leae
- Prolasius advena
- Rhytidoponera chalybaea
- Rhytidoponera metallica
- Strumigenys perplexa
- Strumigenys xenos
- Technomyrmex jocosus
- Tetramorium bicarinatum
- Tetramorium grassii
- References
Classification
Family: | Formicidae |
Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
Tribe: | Pheidolini |
Genus: | Pheidole |
Species: | vigilans |
Common name(s)
Big-headed ant (Andersen 2002) (Generic common name)
Synonyms (WWW5)
Atta vigilans Smith, Pheidole ampla subsp. norfolkensis Wheeler, Pheidole ampla var. parallela Forel, Pheidole ampla var. yarrensis Forel, Pheidole dolichocephala André, Pheidole ampla norfolkensis Wheeler
Origin
Pheidole is among the largest of ant genera. Wilson (2003) estimates the number of its known species as close to 900, with a large number still to be described. Australia has some 53 species and subspecies. Three of these are established in New Zealand, P. megacephala , P. rugosula and P. vigilans. P. vigilans, like P. rugosula, is of Australian origin.
Distribution
The earliest record of this species (known then as P. yarrensis ) comes from Paihia, Northland, dated 25 January 1949. Since this species is endemic to temperate south-eastern Australia, Berry et al. (1997) see no reason, with respect to climate, why it should remain restricted to northern areas, and more recently (2001) a specimen was collected in Katikati, Bay of Plenty.
General Description
Identification
The workers are dimorphic (major and minor workers). The antennae are 12-segmented with usually a 3-segmented club. In side view the propodeum is depressed below the level of the pronotum and the forward section of the mesonotum, and these two regions are connected by the steeply sloping rear section of the mesonotum. The nest entrance typically has a small mound of soil extracted from the nest.
Diagnostic features of the major worker
Length 5 mm; head massive with the rear (occipital) margin deeply impressed in the middle; rugae (wrinkles in the cuticle) extending halfway from the clypeus to the rear (occipital) margin of the head; propodeal spines (paired) equal in length to the diameter of the propodeal spiracle; colour of head and body reddish-brown, gaster dark brown.
Diagnostic features of the minor worker
Length 2.5 mm; head with rear (occipital) margin shallowly impressed in the middle; head smooth; propodeal spines (paired) equal in length to the diameter of the propodeal spiracle; colour of head and body light brown, gaster darker than body.
Berry et al. (1997) Pheidole species in New Zealand.