Lomachaeta cirrhomeris
This record describes Lomachaeta cirrhomeris (species). Recorded family: Mutillidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The female is all red except for a bit of darkening of the pygidium. The male is all black except for the red tegulae and femora. hardly ever collected
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Pompiloidea
- Family
- Mutillidae (Velvet Ants)
- Subfamily
- Sphaeropthalminae
- Tribe
- Dasymutillini
- Genus
- Lomachaeta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
widespread in the southwest; It is very interesting that it occurs in both the deserts in eastern California and the southern part of the Central Valley.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Lomachaeta cirrhomeris Pitts & Manley 2004
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Lomachaeta cirrhomeris. 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 Lomachaeta cirrhomeris (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by George Waldren; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Lomachaeta cirrhomeris
What is Lomachaeta cirrhomeris?
Lomachaeta cirrhomeris is a species in the family Mutillidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Lomachaeta cirrhomeris?
The female is all red except for a bit of darkening of the pygidium. The male is all black except for the red tegulae and femora.
Where is Lomachaeta cirrhomeris found?
Range: widespread in the southwest; It is very interesting that it occurs in both the deserts in eastern California and the southern part of the Central Valley.