Pheidole innupta Menozzi 1931

This species occurs only in cloud forest habitats, where it nests in large epiphyte mats in the canopy, and occasionally in dead wood near ground level. Foundress queens occur under epiphyte mats, and in some cases pleometrosis occurs (a group of over five queens together with brood and small workers has been observed). Colonies are large, with many workers pouring forth when the nest is disturbed. Soldiers tend to stay deep within the colony. The feeding habits of this species are unknown. Foragers have never been observed outside of the nests. Observations have been almost entirely during the day, so they could forage nocturnally. Alternatively, they may have specialized and perhaps plant-derived food sources within the nests. Scattered mealybugs may be found on epiphyte roots in the nests (figure).

Costa Rica (Cordillera Central to Cordillera Guanacaste; type locality is Vara Blanca).

Pheidole innupta Menozzi, 1931d PDF: 200, fig. 7 (s.w.q.) COSTA RICA. Neotropic. AntCat AntWiki HOL

Taxonomic history

Junior synonym of Pheidole alfaroi: Wilson, 2003a: 165.Revived from synonymy: Longino, 2009 PDF: 38.