A new genus and species from Algeria: the trap-jaw ant Anochetus ghilianii (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Entomological investigations in western Algeria have led to the first observation of the trap-jaw ant Anochetus ghilianii (Spinola 1851) in the country. Five nests were found under stones in two agricultural orchards in the Hauts Plateaux of Meghila and Hammam Tires (Tissemsilt department). This finding marks the first record of the genus Anochetus in Algeria, increasing the number of ant genera known in the country to 35 and the number of species to 219. This species was so far only known from Morocco and Spain, and suspected to be introduced in the latter. Additionally, a list detailing the other ant species collected in the two orchards is provided.