New Records of Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Species for Hidalgo, Mexico

Four species of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are reported as new state records for Hidalgo, Mexico, a state with 249 previous records of native species (Guenard et al. 2017, Myrmecol. News 24:83–89). Ant specimens were collected for 2 yr as part of an inventory of formicids associated with corn (Zea mays L), coffee (Coffea arabica L.), and orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) crops to analyze the structure of ant communities in northeastern Hidalgo near the municipality of Huejutla. Each site was characterized by a number of plant species other than the principal crop. Cleared areas near Huejutla had adjacent patches of vegetation composed of medium subevergreen forest and high evergreen forest that included Nectandra ambigens (Blake) Allen (Lauraceae), Aphananthe monoica (Hemsl.) J.L. Leroy (Cannabaceae), Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. (Burseraceae), Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol. (Urticaceae), Brosimum alicastrum Swartz (Moraceae), Cedrela odorata L. (Meliaceae), and Chamaedorea tepejilote Liebm. (Arecaceae). Corn fields also contained such plant species as Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae), Ipomoea purpurea L. (Convolvulaceae), Heliconia schiedeana L. (Heliconiaceae), Commelina erecta L. (Commelinaceae), Croton draco Schltdl. & Cham. (Euphorbiaceae), and Guazuma ulmifolia Lam (Malvaceae). Commelina erecta L. (Commelinaceae), Christella ovata var. Lindheimeri (C. Chr) A.R.Sm. (Thelypteridaceae), C. tepejilote, Heliocarpus appendiculatus Turcz (Malvaceae), H. schiedeana, and Musa