Odontomachus hastatus

Distribution
This taxon was described from Central America.

Biology
From the abstract of Camargo and Oliveira (2012): This study documents the nesting and foraging ecology of a large (~13 mm total length) arboreal trap–jaw ant, Odontomachus hastatus (Fabricius) in a sandy plain forest on Cardoso Island, off the coast of Southeast Brazil. The results showed that O. hastatus nested in root clusters of epiphytic bromeliads, most commonly Vriesea procera (70% of nest plants). Mature O. hastatus colonies include one to several queens and about 500 workers. Foraging by O. hastatus is primarily nocturnal year–round, with increased foraging activity during the wet/warm season. The foragers hunt singly in the trees, preying on a variety of canopy–dwelling arthropods, with flies, moths, ants, and spiders accounting for > 60% of the prey captured. Although predators often have impacts on prey populations, the ecological importance of O. hastatus remains to be studied.

Nomenclature

 *  hastatus. Myrmecia hastata Fabricius, 1804: 426 (w.) CENTRAL AMERICA. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1971b: 1212 (l.). Combination in Odontomachus: Illiger, 1807: 194. Senior synonym of maxillaris: Roger, 1863b: 22.
 * maxillaris. Odontomachus maxillaris Smith, F. 1858b: 77, pl. 5, figs. 12-14 (w.q.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of hastatus: Roger, 1863b: 22.

Additional References

 * Camargo RX, Oliveira PS. 2012. Natural history of the Neotropical arboreal ant, Odontomachus hastatus: Nest sites, foraging schedule, and diet. Journal of Insect Science 10:158