Eciton rufonigrum Jerdon, 1851, N. S.

14. ECITON? rufonigrum, N. S.

Worker, length about 11 - 24 th of an inch; head square; antennae short, first joint thickened; very long palpi, eyes large, lateral, posterior; jaws somewhat linear, oblong, with two strong teeth at the external angle, and bluntly toothed in the rest of its extent; thorax slightly grooved; abdominal pedicles very little elevated first very long; abdomen long, ovoid; thorax, legs, abdominal pedicles and antenna; rufous, head and abdomen black. This ant is very common in the Carnatic, less so in Malabar. It makes its nests in holes of trees, old palings, bamboo rafters and such like; it does not care for sweets, is never seen on flowers, but devours dead animal matter. I have not seen the female. It stings very severely.