Myrmecina americana
This record describes Myrmecina americana (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Two pairs of propdeal spines, larger pair dorsal, smaller pair lower posterior, are unique in the N.A. fauna.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Crematogastrini
- Genus
- Myrmecina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mesic forest in soil and leaf litter, under bark on lower side of rotting logs. Often extracted in Berlese or Winkler samples.
Geographic Range
Nationwide in continental US, southeastern Canada, mountains of northern Mexico.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Alex Wild comments at myrmecos.net, "These are mite predators."
Life History
Mating flights in September, early October.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Myrmecina americana Emery, 1895
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Myrmecina americana. 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 Myrmecina americana (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , James C. Trager
Frequently Asked Questions About Myrmecina americana
What is Myrmecina americana?
Myrmecina americana is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Myrmecina americana?
Two pairs of propdeal spines, larger pair dorsal, smaller pair lower posterior, are unique in the N.A. fauna.
Where is Myrmecina americana found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mesic forest in soil and leaf litter, under bark on lower side of rotting logs. Often extracted in Berlese or Winkler samples. |
| Range | Nationwide in continental US, southeastern Canada, mountains of northern Mexico. |
What does Myrmecina americana eat?
The diet of the Myrmecina americana includes Alex Wild comments at myrmecos.net, These are mite predators..
What is the life cycle of a Myrmecina americana?
Mating flights in September, early October.