Megalomyrmex balzani Emery, 1894

Brandão, Carlos Roberto F., 2003, Further Revisionary Studies On The Ant Genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Solenopsidini) C R F. B Abstract, Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (São Paulo) 43 (8), pp. 145-159 : 151

Megalomyrmex balzani Emery, 1894

J. Diniz and I collected in October 1, 1987, a large colony of M. balzani on the campus grounds of the Universidade Federal do Amazonas, in Manaus. Most individuals occupied a space hidden among the root system, litter and moss of a large tree, but a trail led to a space under bark some 1 m high on the live trunk, where part of the colony was found. The colony had more than 400 workers and several immatures, all brought alive to the Museu de Zoologia, but again, they did not survive for more than a few weeks in artificial conditions.

P. Ward sent me a worker of M. balzani he collected in Fazenda Esteio, 80 Km northeast of Manaus (02°25’S, 59°46’W) (80 m), in September 15, 1987, (accession number 9150-2).

From LACM, I received 9 workers collected by W. Davidson in February 16, 1987 (TAM-1), in Reserva Tambopata , Madre de Dios, Peru, and a worker from Pozuzo, Huanuco province, Peru (10°04’S, 74°32’W) .

From Dr. Jacques Delabie, I received two workers of M. balzani ( Ceplac # 302) labeled “ Brasil: PA, origem provável”. This represents the first record of this species in Pará state, where they do probably occur .

The AMNH collection houses a worker from Rio Purus, Amazonas state, Brazil, collected (date unknown) by A. Goeldi. The specimens belong to M. balzani and not to M. bituberculatus Fabricius as the label says.