Studies on California Ants. 8. A New Species of Cardiocondyla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

A new species of introduced ant, C. ectopia, is described and figured, based on material from Orange and Los Angeles counties. All three castes are included and the species is compared to the other four species known to occur in the United States. Cardiocondyla is an Old World genus of approximately 30 species, about half a dozen of which are regularly transported by commerce into new areas. Four species have been introduced into the eastern United States (Smith, 1944); all seem to be firmly established in Florida. No species has previously been reported from California. This seems surprising since the three most commonly transported species are common in the Pacific region. The first California specimens to come to my attention were collected by R. J. Hamton at his home in Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., in 1967. During the following year, speci mens were collected by K. C. Stephens in Downey and Artesia, L. A. Co. Specimens from Tustin, Orange Co., were collected in 1970 by A Mintzer, and the author found the species in his yard at Seal Beach, Orange Co., in 1972. I have been unable to associate this species with any previously described name. In order to discuss this species in the following paper, I am describing the ant as new. Hopefully the correct name, if the species is previously described, can be determined at a later date. Cardiocondyla ectopia Snelling, n. sp.