Pheidole gilvescens
This record describes Pheidole gilvescens (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Member of the pilifera group with short spines on the major and small but distinct humeral angles (compared to the similar xerophila , which has no angles). Often lighter colored than xerophila .
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
Nests in sandy soil in "grassland, creosote bush scrub, wash woodlands, and joshua tree woodlands" (Antwiki, Snelling and George 1979).
Geographic Range
AZ to southern NV to CA, south into Sonora MX.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Primarily granivorous but will also scavenge dead arthropods.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pheidole gilvescens. 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 gilvescens (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steven Wang
Frequently Asked Questions About Pheidole gilvescens
What is Pheidole gilvescens?
Pheidole gilvescens is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Pheidole gilvescens?
Member of the pilifera group with short spines on the major and small but distinct humeral angles (compared to the similar xerophila , which has no angles). Often lighter colored than xerophila .
Where is Pheidole gilvescens found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Nests in sandy soil in grassland, creosote bush scrub, wash woodlands, and joshua tree woodlands (Antwiki, Snelling and George 1979). |
| Range | AZ to southern NV to CA, south into Sonora MX. |
What does Pheidole gilvescens eat?
The diet of the Pheidole gilvescens includes Primarily granivorous but will also scavenge dead arthropods..