Monomorium floricola
This record describes Monomorium floricola (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
M. floricola is recongnized by its slender shininess, yellowish mesosoma contrasting with the rest dark brown to black, pointy gaster apex, and runnning in Pharaoh ant like trails (and is another introduced congener of the latter).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Solenopsidini
- Genus
- Monomorium (Pharaoh and Timid Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Nests above ground in preformed cavities of plants, e.g. beetle burrows, abandoned nests of other arboreal ants, hollow weed and vine stems -- less often, in buildings.
Geographic Range
M. floricola is presumed to originate from India, but is now found near people in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. In the US it is found in FL, TX, HI.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Monomorium floricola. 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 Monomorium floricola (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by James C. Trager; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Monomorium floricola
What is Monomorium floricola?
Monomorium floricola is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Monomorium floricola?
1.75 mm workers; 3mm queens
How do you identify Monomorium floricola?
M. floricola is recongnized by its slender shininess, yellowish mesosoma contrasting with the rest dark brown to black, pointy gaster apex, and runnning in Pharaoh ant like trails (and is another introduced congener of the latter).
Where is Monomorium floricola found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Nests above ground in preformed cavities of plants, e.g. beetle burrows, abandoned nests of other arboreal ants, hollow weed and vine stems -- less often, in buildings. |
| Range | M. floricola is presumed to originate from India, but is now found near people in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. In the US it is found in FL, TX, HI. |