ANT LARVAE OF THE SUBFAMILY CERAPACHYINAE 
By George C. Wheeler 
Department of Biology, University of North Dakota 
The Cerapachyinae are a neglected group of ants even among 
myrmecologists. This may be attributed to a combination of factors; 
the subfamily is a small one, about one hundred species; all species 
are rare and sporadic; their colonies are small; nearly all are trop- 
ical; they have no spectacular habits or bizarre structures; they are 
of no economic importance. 
Nevertheless, they are a very interesting group phylogenetically, 
since they show both doryline and ponerine affinities. In fact, they 
have been included in both subfamilies. Forel in 1893 first rec- 
ognized the group of genera as a tribe and placed it in the Poner- 
inae. In 1895 Emery transferred it to the Dorylinae. After protests 
from Forel and Wheeler he returned it in 1913 to the Ponerinae as 
the Section Prodorylinae. Wheeler considered the group to be in- 
termediate between the Dorylinae and the Ponerinae and in 1920 
elevated it to the rank of subfamily. It is especially significant here 
that he used larval as well as adult characters to justify this change. 
In view of the neglect just mentioned, it is surprising that so many 
cerapachyine larvae are known: six species representing four of the 
eight genera. 
Subfamily Cerapachyinae Forel 
Elongate and very slender; subcylindrical ; arcuate, i.e., the whole 
body rather evenly curved ventrally. Segmentation distinct. Spir- 
acles small. Vestigial legs present or absent. Head small; at the 
anterior end. Mouth parts large and prominent. Head hairs few, 
short and nearly always simple. Antennae moderately large, with 
two or three sensilla. Labrum a thick flap, usually small. Mandibles 
rather feebly sclerotized; typically long and slender; base moder- 
ately stout; distal two-thirds narrow and thin; tapering to an apex 
which is slightly curved backward and medially; medial border 
serrate. Maxillae lobose; mostly rather long and round-pointed; 
palp small, a cluster of three to six sensilla or a low elevation bear- 
102 
