Neivamyrmex opacithorax
This record describes Neivamyrmex opacithorax (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The worker is almost has a shiny red head and gaster and weakly-shinging to matte, slightly darker mesosoma; the rear margin of the head is scooped out, with angular but rounded corners. Det. Steven Wang, 2018 These are rather typical column-raiding army ants, much like the more conspicuous ones known from the Tropics, save for the fact that they shut down brood production in winter.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Dorylinae
- Tribe
- Ecitonini
- Genus
- Neivamyrmex (Common Army Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Under large rocks in sunny places in spring, more secluded subterranean cavities during hot weather, such as abandoned burrows or ant mounds taken over during a raid.
Geographic Range
se US to Calif. - Map The second most widely and northerly distributed army ant (following the related N. nigrescens ), extending to the Carolinas, then around the bottom of the Appalachian Range and north again to southern Illinois and west to the Missouri River up to southwestern Iowa, then westward to Colorado, generally avoiding the mountains (but see record from Flagstaff AZ), all the way to the West Coast.
Seasonal Activity
Spring warm-up till first frost.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Often observed with harvested brood of other ants, but also reproted to eat carabid beetles. "Neivamyrmex opacithorax appears to feed almost exclusively on ants and carabid beetles. The capturing of larval and adult Carabidae seems to be a common occurrence since three colonies of opacithorax in Kansas had killed numerous specimens, and Wheeler and Long (1901: 163, digital link below),reported that opacithorax in Texas had captured "a considerable number of small carabid beetles.”
Life History
Colonies often gather under large rocks in sunny places in spring, commencing the first of their monthly brood cycles for the season; the last brood, containing the huge winged males and a few virgin queens, is reared in September.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Neivamyrmex opacithorax (Emery, 1894)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Neivamyrmex opacithorax. 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 Neivamyrmex opacithorax (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Phillip Harpootlian; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , James C. Trager
Frequently Asked Questions About Neivamyrmex opacithorax
What is Neivamyrmex opacithorax?
Neivamyrmex opacithorax is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Neivamyrmex opacithorax?
2.75-4.5mm
How do you identify Neivamyrmex opacithorax?
The worker is almost has a shiny red head and gaster and weakly-shinging to matte, slightly darker mesosoma; the rear margin of the head is scooped out, with angular but rounded corners. Det. Steven Wang, 2018
Where is Neivamyrmex opacithorax found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Under large rocks in sunny places in spring, more secluded subterranean cavities during hot weather, such as abandoned burrows or ant mounds taken over during a raid. |
| Range | se US to Calif. - Map The second most widely and northerly distributed army ant (following the related N. nigrescens ), extending to the Carolinas, then around the bottom of the Appalachian Range and north again to southern Illinois and west to the Missouri River up to southwestern Iowa, then westward to Colorado, generally avoiding the mountains (but see record from Flagstaff AZ), all the way to the West Coast. |
What does Neivamyrmex opacithorax eat?
The diet of the Neivamyrmex opacithorax includes Often observed with harvested brood of other ants, but also reproted to eat carabid beetles. Neivamyrmex opacithorax appears to feed almost exclusively on ants and carabid beetles. The capturing of larval and adult Carabidae seems to be a common occurrence since three colonies of opacithorax in Kansas had killed numerous specimens, and Wheeler and Long (1901: 163, digital link below),reported that opacithorax in Texas had captured a considerable number of small carabid beetles..
When is Neivamyrmex opacithorax active?
Neivamyrmex opacithorax: seasonal activity - Spring warm-up till first frost..
What is the life cycle of a Neivamyrmex opacithorax?
Colonies often gather under large rocks in sunny places in spring, commencing the first of their monthly brood cycles for the season; the last brood, containing the huge winged males and a few virgin queens, is reared in September.