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abdomen as if for slinging and therefore 1 Cock-tailed antsHead square,
thorax narrow, constricted in the middle. Yellowish or blackish red,
shining, 3-5 min. long.
S. geminata. Reddish yellow, abdomen oval, marked brown, thorax
narrow, pedicel thin, L. 3-4.5 mm. May damage seedlings, sometimes very
useful as a scavenger (See P. S. Negi, J. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. 36:1018 The
small red ant. .. .useful to man & Pro. 3rd Ent. Meeting Pusa P. 34:1919).
Phidologiton spp. Common in Maharashtra. Size small to very big,
smaller more ferocious. Soldiers look fierce. Nest in sheltered places,
enter houses, carry away things. Generally march through covered ways.
Bite viciously. Head large, thorax raised with 2 spines at back. Meranoplus
spp. Reddish, hairy, 3-5 mm. Head trapezoidal, broader behind, thorax
compact, spines pointing backwards. M. bicolor. Red, abdomen black,
long soft hair, 3-5 mm. A minor pest on pulse leaves. Triglyphothrix spp.
Stout built. Brown, peculiar wooly appearance, thorax with spines bihind.
Nodes broad, flattish. L. 3-3.5 mm.
Tetramorium spp. Head rectangular, posterior margin distinct, pedicel
nodes rounded, 1st petiolate anteriorly. Light to deep brown or yellowish.
L. 2.5 to 3.5 mm. Monomorium spp. 1.5 to 3 mm. Reddish, abdomen
black, head rectangular, thorax long, narrow, slightly broader in front, 1st
node of pedicel higher than 2nd. Nests in floorings or walls, invades
houses, attacks meat, sweets and even wire insulations. Phidole spp. Large
heads, 2 lobes posteriorly. Front of thorax raised, convex, 2 tuburcles on
sides, metanotum sloping to a spine on each side. Pedicel 2 jointed, nodes
above. Known as Harvester ants. Gather grains in nests. Supposed to be
intelligent. (See Fauna Br. Ind. Hym. 2:220. Bingham C. T. 1903). Small,
2-3 mm. Brown and yellow, smooth.
Holcomyrmex (Harvester ants'). Collect grains and store in nests. Head
large rectangular, sides straight, corners behind rounded, thorax massive,
raised, convex in front, flattish behind. Brown, abdomen dark red to black,
FAUNA 465