Nearctic: California > Pseudomyrmecinae > Pseudomyrmex > Pseudomyrmex pallidus

Species: Pseudomyrmex pallidus

Author: P.S.Ward , Revised: 10/26/2002

Taxonomic Hierarchy:

Subfamily: Pseudomyrmecinae Genus: Pseudomyrmex

Distribution:

Southern California. Outside California: eastern and southwestern United States, south to Panama; Greater Antilles.

Identification:

Worker: median clypeal lobe laterally angled; scape length notably shorter than eye length (SL/EL 0.68-0.85); minimum distance between frontal carinae less than basal width of scape (compare with Pseudomyrmex apache).

Biology:

Pseudomyrmex pallidus is common from southeastern United States to Costa Rica, where it typically nests in dead stems of herbaceous plants. In southwestern United States, including southern California, it is less common, and usually associated with woody shrubs or trees. In California nests have been found in dead branches of Hyptis emoryi, Acacia greggii and Baccharis salicifolia.

Taxonomic History (provided by Barry Bolton, 2010)

pallidus. Pseudomyrma pallidus Smith, F. 1855c: 160 (w.) U.S.A. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1956: 386 (l.); Petralia & Vinson, 1980: 381 (l.). Combination in Leptalea: Smith, M.R. 1951a: 788; in Pseudomyrmex: Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1956: 386. Subspecies of flavidulus: Enzmann, E.V. 1944: 66. Revived status as species: Smith, M.R. 1947f: 544; Creighton, 1950a: 80. See also: Blum & Callahan, 1963: 69; Ward, 1985b: 235.