Pheidole clementensis
This record describes Pheidole clementensis (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Part of the Pheidole californica complex in the pilfera group.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Attini
- Genus
- Pheidole (Big-headed Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Foothills or coastal areas, often nesting underneath stones.
Geographic Range
Southern California into adjacent Mexico.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Mostly granivorous.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: "Roy Snelling (in Gregg 1969) reports that P. clementensis is one of the commonest ants on San Clemente Island (especially on the seaward side), where it nests under stones." - AntWiki.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pheidole clementensis. 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 Pheidole clementensis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steven Wang
Frequently Asked Questions About Pheidole clementensis
What is Pheidole clementensis?
Pheidole clementensis is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Pheidole clementensis?
Part of the Pheidole californica complex in the pilfera group.
Where is Pheidole clementensis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Foothills or coastal areas, often nesting underneath stones. |
| Range | Southern California into adjacent Mexico. |
What does Pheidole clementensis eat?
The diet of the Pheidole clementensis includes Mostly granivorous..