Dorymyrmex flavopectus
This record describes Dorymyrmex flavopectus (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Bicolored with a dark brown to black head and gaster and a orange thorax. Similar to Dorymyrmex bossutus , but with many appressed hairs on the gaster instead of shiny.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Dolichoderinae
- Tribe
- Leptomyrmecini
- Genus
- Dorymyrmex (Pyramid Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"Highly drained, infertile rosemary scrub and open sand pine woodlands of peninsular Florida." (Trager 1988)
Geographic Range
Peninsular Florida, supposedly with isolated populations throughout deep sand habitats in the rest of the Southeast from MS to NC.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dorymyrmex flavopectus. 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 Dorymyrmex flavopectus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steven Wang
Frequently Asked Questions About Dorymyrmex flavopectus
What is Dorymyrmex flavopectus?
Dorymyrmex flavopectus is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Dorymyrmex flavopectus?
Bicolored with a dark brown to black head and gaster and a orange thorax. Similar to Dorymyrmex bossutus , but with many appressed hairs on the gaster instead of shiny.
Where is Dorymyrmex flavopectus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Highly drained, infertile rosemary scrub and open sand pine woodlands of peninsular Florida. (Trager 1988) |
| Range | Peninsular Florida, supposedly with isolated populations throughout deep sand habitats in the rest of the Southeast from MS to NC. |