Nylanderia vividula
This record describes Nylanderia vividula (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The fact that this species was first described from specimens collected in a greenhouse in Finland (and is widely distributed as an introduced species around the Mediterranean) lead authors to suggest its Palaearctic origin; however, N. vividula is closest to the undisputedly Nearctic N. terricola and is not closely related to any Old World spp. (J. Trager, pers. comm.)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Formicinae
- Tribe
- Lasiini
- Genus
- Nylanderia (Crazy Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
common in yards/parks, agricultural lands ( J. Trager's comment )
Geographic Range
native to se. US and ne. Mexico, introduced in agricultural habitats in AZ-CA (common in urban so. CA) and in Europe/Mediterranean (J. Trager, pers. comm.)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Nylanderia vividula. 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 Nylanderia vividula (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Harsi S. Parker; Additional contributions by v belov