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Taxonomic History (provided by Barry Bolton, 2017)

Overview:

A cryptic inhabitant of forest floor leaf litter and rotten wood; lowland Amazonian rainforest.

Distribution:

(based on species list records)
Neotropical Region: Amazonas, Americas, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Madre de Dios, Pará, Peru, Rondônia, Santa Cruz, Sipaliwini, South America, Suriname, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo

Distribution Notes:

Amazonian Brazil and Peru, French Guiana.

Identification:

The combination of O. balzani-group mandibles, two pairs of setae on the promesonotum, and flattened setae on the scape uniquely characterize this distinctive species. New measurements for the worker are HW 0.51–0.57, HL 0.47–0.53, CI 106–108 (n=4). The queen is reported with measurements HW 0.58, HL 0.55, CI 105 (Perrault, 1988).

Specimen Habitat Summary

Found most commonly in these habitats: 31 times found in forest, 13 times found in Bamboo forest, 13 times found in 1° forest, 10 times found in clearing in secondary forest, 5 times found in Mixed terra firme forest, 2 times found in rainforest, 1 times found in 1°(?) forest in sandy soil, 1 times found in rain forest, 1 times found in 1� forest, 1 times found in 2° forest.

Found most commonly in these microhabitats: 44 times leaf litter, 18 times ex sifted leaf litter, 10 times sifted litter, 2 times rotten wood, 1 times sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), 1 times near creek.

Collected most commonly using these methods: 43 times Winkler sample, 28 times winkler, 4 times litter sample, 1 times berlese.

Elevations: collected from 15 - 1032 meters, 310 meters average

Type specimens: paratype of Octostruma betschi: casent0915363

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