Aphaenogaster ashmeadi
This record describes Aphaenogaster ashmeadi (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Most similar to A. treatae but the lobe at the base of scape takes up 1/5 or less of the scape in ashmeadi and 1/4 of the scape in treatae. Both species are arenicolous but A. ashmeadi is relatively constricted to the southeastern United States. There are other minor differences but the scape is most reliable and easiest to see. One other southeastern species ( A. floridana ) may also have lobes on the scape but it is usually completely flavous and workers lack propodeal spines.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Stenammini
- Genus
- Aphaenogaster (Spine-waisted Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The colonies do not grow large. One colony I raised only reached around 300 workers before growth stopped. ‒Oliver Yung
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Aphaenogaster ashmeadi (Emery 1895)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aphaenogaster ashmeadi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Aphaenogaster ashmeadi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Oliver Yung; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Aphaenogaster ashmeadi
What is Aphaenogaster ashmeadi?
Aphaenogaster ashmeadi is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Aphaenogaster ashmeadi?
Most similar to A. treatae but the lobe at the base of scape takes up 1/5 or less of the scape in ashmeadi and 1/4 of the scape in treatae. Both species are arenicolous but A. ashmeadi is relatively constricted to the southeastern United States. There are other minor differences but the scape is most reliable and easiest to see. One other southeastern species ( A. floridana ) may also have lobes on the scape but it is usually completely flavous and workers lack propodeal spines.
What is the life cycle of a Aphaenogaster ashmeadi?
The colonies do not grow large. One colony I raised only reached around 300 workers before growth stopped. ‒Oliver Yung