Lepisiota species RVA 3108

Type location Benin, holotype worker only .

Nigeria specimens (as Acantholepis spinosior, Taylor, 1978: 37). WORKER. TL 2.43 mm, HL 0.65, HW 0.59, SL 0.76, PW 0.40
Colour black or dark red-brown, extremities lighter. Appearance dull because of an overall sculpturation of fine spiculation. Erect coarse, dark brown hairs moderately abundant on the body but sparse on the head. Propodeal prominences spinose. Petiole spines well developed and curving backwards.
Occasionally seen foraging on cocoa and will tend aphids; also found on coffee.

Also found in Ghana, as Acantholepis spinosior Forel (type location Zimbabwe, see Bolton, 1995), throughout the Mampong Cemetery Farm by Room (1971). Twenty-four workers were collected on the ground from a block of mature Amelonado cocoa at CRIG by Bigger (1981a).

Oxford University Museum specimens

Lepisiota RVA 3108 B Taylor det.

Benin J-F Vayssieres RVA 3108.5

4.ii.2013 Agonlin 07°12'55.2'' N 02°19'13.7'' E

On ground 55 m asl

2

The photomontage is of a worker from Benin, Agonlin; collector J-F Vayssieres (RVA 3108).