Trachymyrmex turrifex
Mycetomoellerius turrifex
This record describes Mycetomoellerius turrifex (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification of eastern species is relatively straight-forward using this key: Trachymyrmex of SE US
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Attini
- Genus
- Mycetomoellerius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
scattered records across TX
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Workers gather leaves and insect droppings, and place them in a chamber underground with a special fungus that grows on them. The ants tend this fungus, which is an important item in their diet. The interaction between this and related species of ants, the fungi, and certain species of bacteria is complex, and the subject of much research.
Life History
Queen (before mating flight) Male Worker Fertile females (queens) and males leave the nest and mate. After mating, each queen loses her wings, finds a new site for a nest and begins to lay eggs. She will continue to lay eggs for the rest of her life without mating again. She brings with her the fungus that will feed the new colony. Most of the eggs hatch into sterile workers, who build and maintain the nest, and tend to the queen and to the eggs and larvae as well as the fungus gardens. Eventually some of the eggs will develop into males and fertile females, which will again leave the nest to mate and start new colonies.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: turrifex - Latin turris- "tower" + fex- "maker" (from facere- "to make, do") These ants are known for the little towers they build on top of their nest entrances.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Mycetomoellerius turrifex. 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 Trachymyrmex turrifex (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , James C. Trager
Frequently Asked Questions About Trachymyrmex turrifex
What is Trachymyrmex turrifex?
Trachymyrmex turrifex (Mycetomoellerius turrifex) is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Trachymyrmex turrifex?
Identification of eastern species is relatively straight-forward using this key: Trachymyrmex of SE US
Where is Trachymyrmex turrifex found?
Range: scattered records across TX
What does Trachymyrmex turrifex eat?
The diet of the Trachymyrmex turrifex includes Workers gather leaves and insect droppings, and place them in a chamber underground with a special fungus that grows on them. The ants tend this fungus, which is an important item in their diet. The interaction between this and related species of ants, the fungi, and certain species of bacteria is complex, and the subject of much research..
What is the life cycle of a Trachymyrmex turrifex?
Queen (before mating flight) Male Worker Fertile females (queens) and males leave the nest and mate. After mating, each queen loses her wings, finds a new site for a nest and begins to lay eggs. She will continue to lay eggs for the rest of her life without mating again. She brings with her the fungus that will feed the new colony. Most of the eggs hatch into sterile workers, who build and maintain the nest, and tend to the queen and to the eggs and larvae as well as the fungus gardens. Eventually some of the eggs will develop into males and fertile females, which will again leave the nest to mate and start new colonies.