Nomamyrmex esenbeckii
This record describes Nomamyrmex esenbeckii (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The largest doryline in the US by far. Very heavily armored ants. In the US doryline fauna, Nomamyrmex and Labidus are the only ones that have an obvious small tooth on the inside curve of the tarsal claw. This trait is found across all castes, males and females. Army ant queens cannot fly for dispersal because they do not have wings. This means they are particularly susceptible to habitat fragmentation by roads and human activity.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Dorylinae
- Tribe
- Ecitonini
- Genus
- Nomamyrmex
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Hidalgo & Cameron Co., TX to Paraguay - Map Rare in the US and likely declining due to habitat fragmentation. They are known from the Lower Rio Grande area but also some tentative records farther north near King Ranch. There is a recent (25 March 2021) record of a male in Riviera, TX. Outside of its US in most of its Neotropical range they are still quite common, especially in relatively undisturbed habitat.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Specialist raider of other ant species. The only army ant observed to elicit a strong attack response in Atta leaf cutter ants. Has been observed to raid many species, including Pogonomyrmex barbatus in South Texas .
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Nomamyrmex esenbeckii. 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 Nomamyrmex esenbeckii (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steven Wang; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Nomamyrmex esenbeckii
What is Nomamyrmex esenbeckii?
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Nomamyrmex esenbeckii?
The largest doryline in the US by far. Very heavily armored ants. In the US doryline fauna, Nomamyrmex and Labidus are the only ones that have an obvious small tooth on the inside curve of the tarsal claw. This trait is found across all castes, males and females.
Where is Nomamyrmex esenbeckii found?
Range: Hidalgo & Cameron Co., TX to Paraguay - Map Rare in the US and likely declining due to habitat fragmentation. They are known from the Lower Rio Grande area but also some tentative records farther north near King Ranch. There is a recent (25 March 2021) record of a male in Riviera, TX. Outside of its US in most of its Neotropical range they are still quite common, especially in relatively undisturbed habitat.
What does Nomamyrmex esenbeckii eat?
The diet of the Nomamyrmex esenbeckii includes Specialist raider of other ant species. The only army ant observed to elicit a strong attack response in Atta leaf cutter ants. Has been observed to raid many species, including Pogonomyrmex barbatus in South Texas ..