MEXICAN UYiMENOPTERA. 39 



Notes on the habits of certain species of MEXICAN HYMENOPTERA 

 presented to the American Entomological Society, 



BY FR. SUMICHRAST. 



No. 1. 



On the habits of the Mexican species of the tjenus Eciton.* Lair. 



This genus, formed by the celebrated Latreille to receive certain 

 American ants near to Mjjrviica, is represented in the hot and temper- 

 ate parts of eastern Mexico by many species which are there known by 

 the names of tepec/uas, lionnigas, soldados or soldaderas. The affinity 

 which exists between them consists very much more in the analogy of 

 their habits than in that of their forms. In fact, the generic character 

 drawn from the excessively lengthened form of the mandibles cannot 

 be found in all the species, and even among those where one observes 

 it. it is the appendage of but one division of the workers. The anten- 

 na?, filiform in the majority of cases, become at other times, by the 

 thickening of the flagellum, almost moniliform. The physiognomy of 

 these insects is not more defined, some species (e. g. the No. 4 of my 

 collection) recalling by their appearance Mijrmica, while some others 

 approach the type of Oerodoma. Finally, the system of coloration is 

 far from being constant in the same species, and appears subject to cer- 

 tains variation of tint resulting from the difi"erence of locality (e. g. Nos. 

 4 and 69 — 36 and 68 of my collection.) 



We know as yet, it appears, only the neuter individuals or workers 

 of Eciton. The males and females have escaped the researches of col- 

 lectors, and it is probable, that, thanks to the care with which these 

 insects conceal their nests from view in more solitary places, we shall 

 only learn by chance, some day, about the winged sexes. I shall not 

 be disinclined to believe, that, as Mr. Smith supposes {Cat. Form. Brit. 

 Mils. p. 199), Lahidas may be the male o^ Eciton ; this conjecture seem- 

 ing to me to be sustained by the fact that in Mexico it is in the seasou 

 when the sorties of the Eciton are the more frequent that the Lahidus 

 also show themselves. These last, which one never sees during the day, 



* The names of these species will be found at the end of this paper, with re- 

 iiiaiks Ijv Edward Norton. 



