Showing papers on "Vespoidea published in 1988"

The Larva of Leptanilla Japonica, With Notes on the Genus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Leptanillinae)

Abstract: 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 permission). 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 characterization of the subfamily.