THE LARVA OF LEPTANILLA JAPONIC A , 
WITH NOTES ON THE GENUS 
(HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE: LEPTANILLINAE) 
By George C. Wheeler and Jeanette Wheeler* 
Research Associates Florida Department of Agriculture 
We have previously described (1965) the larvae of three species of 
Leptanilla: revelierei Emery, swani Wheeler and esheri (Kutter). 
Now, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Keiichi Masuko, we are able to 
describe the fourth. We do not ordinarily describe and illustrate 
fully the larva of more than one species of a genus, but Leptanilla 
larvae are so extraordinary that we consider it advisable to describe 
as many species as possible. Perhaps by so doing we can convince 
skeptics (including us) that such creatures actually exist. 
Dr. Masuko has not only provided us with specimens but also 
with his manuscripts, from which we quote briefly (with his permis- 
sion). Dr. Masuko is the only myrmecologist who has seen living 
Leptanilla larvae. Furthermore, his observations necessitate changes 
in our previous descriptions. Hence we will begin with a complete 
revision of our generic characterization, which is also a characteri- 
zation of the subfamily. 
Genus Leptanilla Emery 
Elongate and very slender; slightly constricted at the metathorax; 
remainder of body straight and clavate. With a curious structure 
projecting anteroventrally from the ventral surface of the pro- 
thorax. Spiracles minute. A hemolymph feeding pore on each side 
of abdominal somite III or IV. Body hairs smooth and unbranched, 
minute hairs very abundant and uniformly distributed; a few long 
hairs sparsely scattered. Cranium thin; subpyriform in anterior 
view, at least a third longer than broad. Head hairs lacking. Anten- 
nae small; each on the ventral end of a narrow ridge; each with 2 
sensilla. Labrum large and thin; posterior surface spinulose; lateral 
surfaces with a few long slender sharp-pointed teeth. Mandible 
♦Mailing Address: George C. Wheeler and Jeanette Wheeler, 3358 NE 58th Avenue, 
Silver Springs, Florida 32688. 
Manuscript received by the editor June 4, 1988. 
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