Liometopum apiculatum
This record describes Liometopum apiculatum (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
common from AZ to wTX to se Mexico, dominant ant in most oak forests in sw US; can be easily found foraging on the sides of oak trees. Staphylinids, including Sceptobius dispar and Dinardilla liometopi are found in nests, often taking food from the ants.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Dolichoderinae
- Tribe
- Tapinomini
- Genus
- Liometopum (Velvety Tree Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Liometopum apiculatum Mayr 1870
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Liometopum apiculatum. 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 Liometopum apiculatum (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by James C. Trager; Additional contributions by v belov