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Oecophylla but abdomen massive. Some yellowish or some black very
small to 5 mm. Prenolepis spp. Segments of thorax distinct, first 2 convex,
third broad, flat at apex. Pedicel short. Abdomen high, convex, over
hanging pedicel. L. 2-3 mm. Brownish. Nest under fallen leaves or
decaying trees. Rears Paus- sidae (Beetles) Camponotus spp. Segments of
thorax clear, broad in front, compressed behind, pedicel one jointed
surmounted by a node. Abdomen oval, 1st segment less than half of
whole. C. compressus. Black, opaque, legs and parts of antennae brown or
red. Head triangular. L. 6-16 mm. Keep ‘ ant cattle '. Large workers invade
houses. Generally rest under trees, throw up heaps of soil. May rest in
walls. Feed also on termites, caterpillars etc. Winged, attracted to light.
(See Ayyar P. N. K.—1937 J. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. 39:750 and Wroughton
—1892 J. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. 7:30). Polyrhachis spp. Resemble
Camponotus but thorax and node of pedicel armed with spines or angular
points, abdomen short, 1st segment more than half of total. L. 4-7 mm.
Nest in low bushes, high trees, under bamboo sheaths and sugar-cane
leaves, not easily visible. Tend cattle. (See Ind. Ins. Life P. 232).
Fam. Pompilidae. (PI. IV, Fig. 56). Brilliantly coloured, conspicuous,
large or small, legs long. Pronotum extending upto wing base. Parasitic on
spiders, a few on cockroach, crickets etc. Live in mud nests, holes
underground etc.
M. violacea. Black, purple and blue reflections, wings with purple
effulgence. Thickly powdered. L. 22-30 mm. Pseudagenia spp. bear
silvery hair. P. blanda. Smooth, shining, metallic blue, antennae and legs
black. L. 12-14 mm.
MI.
P. tincta. Black, abdomen yellowish brown partly, powdered. L. 7-9 mm.
Salius spp. Very common in Lonavla, Matheran. Ample wings, long legs,
claws with teeth under margins. Abdomen broadly attached. Generally red
or black, golden hair, wings reddish or yellow or smoky. L. 17-38 mm. (S.
veda only 9 mm.) S. madraspatanus, a cosmopolitan species, black, hairy,
FAUNA 467