Ochetellus

Species of Ochetellus nest in open soil or under rocks, in dead wood or arboreally in twigs and branches. Workers forage arboreally or on the ground surface, sometimes forming foraging columns, and feed on a range of small arthropods. They often forage in houses where they show a preference for fluids and sweets. A Japanese species is known to attack wasp nests in dead bamboo stems. While most species are found in forested areas one (O. flavipes) is adapted to the Australian arid zone and nests in spinifex, building tunnels between its nests and foraging areas. Another species, probably O. glaber, has been introduced into New Zealand, Christmas Island, Hawaii and north-central Florida.



Worker of O. glaber from Western Australia.

Identification
The front margin of the clypeus above the mandibles is broadly and shallowly concave in the centre with convex areas towards the sides. The metanotal groove is a narrow, distinct notch in the relatively flat upper surface of the mesosoma. The rear face of the propodeum is concave (or less commonly flat). The node of the petiole is thin, vertical, not inclined forward, and the upper region is expanded towards the sides.

Ochetellus workers superficially resemble small workers of some Dolichoderus and small Iridomyrmex species in the shape of the mesosoma (with relatively flat upper surfaces and concave rear propodeal faces) but can be separated by their generally smaller size and the unique petiole, which is narrowed longitudinally and expanded laterally. The head shape, while not unique, tends to appear slightly flattened, giving a thinner profile than in most other dolichoderine genera.

Smaller species of Iridomyrmex may be confused with Ochetellus because of the similarly shaped mesosoma. However, the front margin of the clypeus always has a central projection in Iridomyrmex while it is concave in Ochetellus.

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution

Regional Species Lists

 * Australia

Keys to Species

 * Australia