Colobopsis mississippiensis
This record describes Colobopsis mississippiensis (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Arboreal, inhabits galls, hollow twigs, beetle burrows in tree canopies, also in stems of shrubs such as elderberry and ash stump sprouts
Geographic Range
E Texas to Florida, north to Missouri and southern Ohio.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: honeydew, extrafloral nectar, liquid from bird and lizard droppings, etc.
Life History
Mating flights are in late June and July at the latitude of St. Louis MO. Winged females may appear at blacklights after 2200hr.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Originally described from Mississippi, but this is the most widely distributed of the Colobopsis species, ranging north to Missouri across to southern Ohio.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Colobopsis mississippiensis. 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 mississippiensis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by James C. Trager; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Bbarnd
Frequently Asked Questions About Colobopsis mississippiensis
How big is Colobopsis mississippiensis?
Majors 8-8.5 mm Minors 4.5-5 mm
Where is Colobopsis mississippiensis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Arboreal, inhabits galls, hollow twigs, beetle burrows in tree canopies, also in stems of shrubs such as elderberry and ash stump sprouts |
| Range | E Texas to Florida, north to Missouri and southern Ohio. |
What does Colobopsis mississippiensis eat?
The diet of the Colobopsis mississippiensis includes honeydew, extrafloral nectar, liquid from bird and lizard droppings, etc..
What is the life cycle of a Colobopsis mississippiensis?
Mating flights are in late June and July at the latitude of St. Louis MO. Winged females may appear at blacklights after 2200hr.