Cyphomyrmex minutus
This record describes Cyphomyrmex minutus (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Part of the Cyphomyrmex rimosus group but smaller than Cyphomyrmex rimosus , without a deep hairless furrow on the dorsum of the postpetiole or only a faint short furrow. C. minutus C. rimosus
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Attini
- Genus
- Cyphomyrmex
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southeastern US, into the Neotropics.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cyphomyrmex minutus (Mayr, 1862)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Cyphomyrmex minutus. 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 Cyphomyrmex minutus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steven Wang
Frequently Asked Questions About Cyphomyrmex minutus
What is Cyphomyrmex minutus?
Cyphomyrmex minutus is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Cyphomyrmex minutus?
Part of the Cyphomyrmex rimosus group but smaller than Cyphomyrmex rimosus , without a deep hairless furrow on the dorsum of the postpetiole or only a faint short furrow. C. minutus C. rimosus
Where is Cyphomyrmex minutus found?
Range: Southeastern US, into the Neotropics.