Colobopsis etiolata
This record describes Colobopsis etiolata (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Described from numerous specimens of all four phases taken at Austin, Texas, in the woody galls of Disholcaspis cinerosus (Cynipidae) on the live-oaks ( Quercus virginiana ).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Formicinae
- Tribe
- Camponotini
- Genus
- Colobopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
oak/juniper woodland
Geographic Range
c. TX to C. Amer. ( Ant Wiki )
Diet and Behavior
Life History
nocturnal
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Colobopsis etiolata (Wheeler, 1904)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Colobopsis etiolata. 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 Colobopsis etiolata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steven Wang; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Colobopsis etiolata
What is Colobopsis etiolata?
Colobopsis etiolata is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Colobopsis etiolata found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | oak/juniper woodland |
| Range | c. TX to C. Amer. ( Ant Wiki ) |
What is the life cycle of a Colobopsis etiolata?
nocturnal