Pheidole morrisii
This record describes Pheidole morrisii (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Easily recognized by size, orangey color, and virtual lack of propodeal spines.
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
Sandy soils, especially in open pine/oak wodlands or sand prairies.
Geographic Range
Found in the sandy soils of the Gulf and southern Atlantic Coasts. This is a particularly common one in sandy Florida, extending all the way up to the sandy locations of central Illinois (and sandy areas near the Mississippi River on the way) and Long Island.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predacious, rapidly recruiting to spread and dismember arthropod prey.
Life History
Mating flight occurs the morning after first warm rains in May (Florida), June (NY, IL).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pheidole morrisii. 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 morrisii (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by James C. Trager; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Frequently Asked Questions About Pheidole morrisii
What is Pheidole morrisii?
Pheidole morrisii is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Pheidole morrisii?
minors 2.5-3 mm majors 3-3.5 mm queens 7-8 mm
How do you identify Pheidole morrisii?
Easily recognized by size, orangey color, and virtual lack of propodeal spines.
Where is Pheidole morrisii found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Sandy soils, especially in open pine/oak wodlands or sand prairies. |
| Range | Found in the sandy soils of the Gulf and southern Atlantic Coasts. This is a particularly common one in sandy Florida, extending all the way up to the sandy locations of central Illinois (and sandy areas near the Mississippi River on the way) and Long Island. |
What does Pheidole morrisii eat?
The diet of the Pheidole morrisii includes Predacious, rapidly recruiting to spread and dismember arthropod prey..
What is the life cycle of a Pheidole morrisii?
Mating flight occurs the morning after first warm rains in May (Florida), June (NY, IL).