Labidus coecus
This record describes Labidus coecus (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Males are found at lights and are larger than Neivamyrmex: Workers can be found conducting subterranean raids underneath rocks and logs set in the ground: Both males and workers (and likely queens) have a small tooth on the concave surface of the tarsal claw, where Neivamyrmex has none. Nomamyrmex is the only other doryline in our area with this trait, but their workers are much larger and their males have thick setae. Quite common in central Texas, less abundant in other parts of the US.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Dorylinae
- Tribe
- Ecitonini
- Genus
- Labidus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Workers are generally completely subterranean. Males come to lights. Queens are completely flightless and rarely seen.
Geographic Range
sc US (TX, LA, AR, OK), south to n. Argentina - Map
Seasonal Activity
Workers are generally more abundant during cooler months in its range. Males fly in late spring to early summer.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: More generalist feeders than most army ants, and are documented to kill baby chickens and temporarily move their colonies to underneath fruit trees for food. Outside of these opportunistic feeding events they will raid other ant nests for brood like other dorylines.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Labidus coecus (Latreille, 1802)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Labidus coecus. 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 Labidus coecus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by James C. Trager; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Steven Wang
Frequently Asked Questions About Labidus coecus
What is Labidus coecus?
Labidus coecus is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Labidus coecus?
Males are found at lights and are larger than Neivamyrmex: Workers can be found conducting subterranean raids underneath rocks and logs set in the ground: Both males and workers (and likely queens) have a small tooth on the concave surface of the tarsal claw, where Neivamyrmex has none. Nomamyrmex is the only other doryline in our area with this trait, but their workers are much larger and their males have thick setae.
Where is Labidus coecus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Workers are generally completely subterranean. Males come to lights. Queens are completely flightless and rarely seen. |
| Range | sc US (TX, LA, AR, OK), south to n. Argentina - Map |
What does Labidus coecus eat?
The diet of the Labidus coecus includes More generalist feeders than most army ants, and are documented to kill baby chickens and temporarily move their colonies to underneath fruit trees for food. Outside of these opportunistic feeding events they will raid other ant nests for brood like other dorylines..
When is Labidus coecus active?
Labidus coecus: seasonal activity - Workers are generally more abundant during cooler months in its range. Males fly in late spring to early summer..