Ochetellus glaber

Distinguished from similar small dolichoderine ants by combination of: small size (workers under 3 mm), 12-segmented antennae with relatively short scapes, single petiole node that is upright and not flattened, distinct propodeal protrusion with concave posterior slope, and gaster with ventral slit. Separation from other Ochetellus species requires morphometric analysis due to cryptic species diversity within the O. glaber complex. Males uniquely have brown body with brownish-black dorsum and yellow mandibles, legs, and antennae. Larvae are yellow (not white as in other Dolichoderinae), with short stout body and spinulose integument in transverse rows.

Small ant with workers 2–3 mm, males 1.6 mm, and queens 5.2–5.5 mm. Color ranges from brown to black. Antennae 12-segmented with scapes approximately half head length. Antennal sockets separated from posterior clypeal margin by less than minimum scape width. Eyes medium to large with more than six facets. Mesosomal dorsum with distinct metanotal grooves and lacking erect hairs. Propodeum with distinct protrusion creating strongly concave posterior slope. Waist single-segmented with upright, non-flattened petiole. Gaster with ventral slit; no visible constriction between third and fourth abdominal segments.

Arboreal nesting species of open woodlands, savannah, and modified environments. Natural nests occur under stones, in old dry logs, rotten wood, hollow trees, and plant stems. Frequently colonizes human structures: rockeries, paving crevices, brickwork, ceilings, walls, and subfloor areas. Also found in gardens, pastures, mountain forests, wet forests, and at elevations of 5–1,585 m. In Florida, occurs in dead wood and marsh grass tussocks.

Native to Australia (coastal Queensland and New South Wales to south-west Western Australia). Introduced and established in: New Zealand (Auckland area, since ~1927), United States (Hawaii: Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Island of Hawaii since 1977; Florida: Orange County), China, India (Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Northeast India), Japan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Macao, Réunion, Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Solomon Islands, and former New Hebrides.

Active year-round in suitable climates. Both diurnal and nocturnal, with activity peaking during early mornings and late evening to early night; nocturnal activity increases on overcast days. In temperate regions, seasonal activity patterns likely follow temperature, though specific data lacking.

Omnivorous. Primary foods include honeydew from tended hemipterans (mealybugs, aphids), nectar from flowers (Pisonia, Canavalia, Commicarpus, Ipomoea, Melanthera, Plumbago, Scaevola), and insects. Observed consuming carcasses of dead birds, sea turtles, parrot fish, fruit fly pupae, and diamondback moth larvae. Shows preference for fat, grease, plants, and seeds. Enters buildings to feed on household foods.

• Dysmicoccus brevipes - tends for honeydewpineapple mealybug
• Aphis spp. - tends for honeydewaphids
• Coptotermes formosanus - invades galleriesFormosan subterranean termite; mortality higher when competing with Pheidole megacephala
• Ananusia australis - indirect associationencyrtid parasitoid wasp

Complete metamorphosis with egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. Larvae: young 1.4 mm with 13 differentiated somites, stout body, short body hair (0.002–0.015 mm), prominent spinules posteriorly; mature larvae 3.9 mm, short and stout, with spinulose integument in short transverse rows ventrally and posteriorly, few head hairs, large apical tooth on mandibles, three sensilla on maxillary and labial palps. Colony reproduction by nuptial flight and budding (satelliting): queens mate with one or multiple males, males monogamous; colony subsets with queens, workers, and brood disperse to alternative nest sites.

Forms long trails on tree trunks and structures between nests and food sources. Both diurnal and nocturnal foraging; activity peaks early morning and late evening. Tends honeydew-producing insects and visits flowers for nectar. Defensive behavior includes biting; when crushed, produces strong odor. Colony dispersal by budding where worker groups with brood and queens establish satellite nests.

Honeydew consumer and predator of small insects and carrion. Flower visitor for nectar, potentially contributing to pollination of visited species. Tends hemipteran pests, potentially disrupting biological control programs. Competes with other ants in invaded habitats; in Hawaii, may disrupt biological control of agricultural pests through interactions with honeydew producers and consumption of parasitoids.

Household pest entering structures to forage, tracking across ceilings and beams, depositing debris. Bites but does not sting; produces strong odor when crushed. In United States (especially California), subject to quarantine interception due to ecological risk: potential to disrupt biological control, reduce biodiversity, and alter ecosystem processes. Not considered major agricultural pest but may damage legume forages in pastures. In New Zealand, minor urban garden and occasional household pest.

• Iridomyrmex spp.Historically classified in this genus; separation requires examination of petiole shape, propodeal structure, and antennal segmentation. Ochetellus has upright non-flattened petiole and distinct propodeal protrusion.
• Ochetellus spp. (other species in complex)O. glaber represents a species complex with cryptic diversity; reliable identification requires morphometric and genetic analysis. Many historical records of O. glaber may refer to distinct species.
• Technomyrmex spp.Similar small dolichoderine ants with single petiole; differ in antennal segmentation, eye size, and propodeal structure.

Widely treated as single widespread tramp species, but 2011+ research indicates O. glaber comprises multiple cryptic species. Many distributional records and management decisions based on unreliable identifications. Not all populations outside Australia represent recent introductions—some may be native cryptic species historically misidentified.

• ant
• tramp species
• household pest
• species complex
• invasive
• Australia
• honeydew
• arboreal
• Dolichoderinae

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Keeler Grasshopper
• Something Sweet and Something Neat: Entomological Holiday Gifts at UC Davis | Bug Squad
• Insect-Inspired Fashions! Compliments of the UC Davis EGSA | Bug Squad
• Taxonomic confusion of two tramp ant species: Iridomyrmex anceps and Ochetellus glaber are really species complexes
• New distributional record of Ochetellus glaber (Mayr, 1862) and Aphaenogaster beccarii Emery, 1887 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Northeast India