Pheidole obscurithorax
This record describes Pheidole obscurithorax (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
First observed by E.O. Wilson in the port city of Mobile, Alabama, in the early 1950's
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
In its introduced range this species is associated with disturbed habitats that contain open areas of sandy soil.
Geographic Range
This is a South American species, from the same region (Paraná River Valley) as Red Imported Fire ants, Argentine ants, and several other imports to SE USA. Currently distributed across much of the SE US.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pheidole obscurithorax. 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 obscurithorax (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by James C. Trager; Additional contributions by metrioptera