Two new species of trap jaw ant Anochetus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with a key to known species from India

A key to the Indian species of the ponerine ant genus Anochetus Mayr, 1861 is presented and two new species are described: Anochetus cryptus sp. nov. and Anochetus validus sp. nov. collected from foothills of Himalaya, the Shivalik. Anochetus cryptus is a cryptobiotic species with minute eyes, light-pigmented integument, relatively reduced size and feeble sculpture; it most resembles Anochetus evansi Crawley, 1922. Anochetus validus is a member of the wide spread graeffei group, with strong sculpture and highly pigmented integument.

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► Two new species of Anochetus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are described from India.
► Anochetus cryptus sp. nov. most resembles Iranian Anochetus evansi.
► A. cryptus sp. nov. is characterized by tiny eyes and absence of propodeal teeth.
► A. validus sp. nov. is a member of wide spread graeffei group.
► Key to the worker caste of Indian species of Anochetus has been provided.