Pheidole purpurea is a
dimorphicspecies of
ant found in
Mexico and
Central America.[1] The species shows considerable variance in physical characteristics based on location, though some variance exists even within small populations.[2] Some populations display a metallic, purple sheen.
Dimorphic subdivision
Like many species of the genus Pheidole, P. purpurea is dimorphic, with
workers visibly differentiated by head size and shape into "minor" and "major" (or soldier) workers. The head of the major worker can be as much as twice as long and more than twice as wide as that of the minor.[2]
Minor and major workers of P. purpurea
Minor worker photograph by John T. Longino and
www.antweb.org
Minor worker, top photograph by John T. Longino and
www.antweb.org
Major worker photograph by John T. Longino and
www.antweb.org
Major worker, top photograph by John T. Longino and
www.antweb.org