Aphaenogaster N22b
Aphaenogaster undescribed-near-rudis
This record describes Aphaenogaster undescribed-near-rudis (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This page is for the undescribed species labeled as Aphaenogaster N22b in Dr. Gary Umphrey's 1996 paper on the fulva-rudis-texana complex. Aphaenogaster N22b is similar to Aphaenogaster rudis, but paler and nesting in rocky outcroppings, bluffs, prairie, and other dry habitats. I have taken this species twice in Virginia, once under rocks in a small, rocky formation jutting out from the surrounding landscape and once under rocks in grassland near redcedar forest. - Oliver Yung
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.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aphaenogaster undescribed-near-rudis. 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 N22b (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Oliver Yung