Monomorium viridum
This record describes Monomorium viridum (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Queens are more brown than green, and the queen's head and mesosoma are noticeably sculptured.
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 only in pure sand
Geographic Range
Sandy areas of states bounding the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, as far north as NJ Pine Barrens.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
forms enormous polygynous colonies with large crater-like openings.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The combination Monomorium viride is commonly seen, but Barry Bolton author of AntCat (http://www.antcat.org/), doesn't recognize this informal emendation of Brown's original name.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Monomorium viridum. 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 viridum (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , James C. Trager
Frequently Asked Questions About Monomorium viridum
What is Monomorium viridum?
Monomorium viridum is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Monomorium viridum?
1.7-1.9mm
How do you identify Monomorium viridum?
Queens are more brown than green, and the queen's head and mesosoma are noticeably sculptured.
Where is Monomorium viridum found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Nests only in pure sand |
| Range | Sandy areas of states bounding the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, as far north as NJ Pine Barrens. |
What is the life cycle of a Monomorium viridum?
forms enormous polygynous colonies with large crater-like openings.