Nesomyrmex wilda
This record describes Nesomyrmex wilda (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Looks very similar to Temnothorax and has 3 pairs of blunt spines on the thoracic dorsum. This combination of characters are found in no other US ant.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Crematogastrini
- Genus
- Nesomyrmex
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Arboreal dead wood cavity nester, from sound to decayed and powdery. Does not seem to be picky about tree species for nesting.
Geographic Range
so. TX to Panama - Map
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Nesomyrmex wilda (Smith 1943)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Nesomyrmex wilda. 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 Nesomyrmex wilda (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steven Wang; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Nesomyrmex wilda
What is Nesomyrmex wilda?
Nesomyrmex wilda is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Nesomyrmex wilda?
Looks very similar to Temnothorax and has 3 pairs of blunt spines on the thoracic dorsum. This combination of characters are found in no other US ant.
Where is Nesomyrmex wilda found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Arboreal dead wood cavity nester, from sound to decayed and powdery. Does not seem to be picky about tree species for nesting. |
| Range | so. TX to Panama - Map |