Photomorphus banksi
This record describes Photomorphus banksi (species). Recorded family: Mutillidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Bradley (1916) describes the male: Coal-black, with erect white pubescence, mixed with shorter, decumbent, brown pubescence on the mesonotum and second dorsal segment; wings slightly clouded, more so beyond the venation. See comments on image of female.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Pompiloidea
- Family
- Mutillidae (Velvet Ants)
- Subfamily
- Sphaeropthalminae
- Tribe
- Sphaeropthalmini
- Genus
- Photomorphus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southeastern United States: New Jersey south to Florida, Alabama (Discover Life)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for Nathan Banks , who collected the type specimen in Falls Church, Virginia (Bradley, 1916).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Photomorphus banksi. 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 Photomorphus banksi (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Photomorphus banksi
What is Photomorphus banksi?
Photomorphus banksi is a species in the family Mutillidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Photomorphus banksi?
7.5 to 11.5 mm (male); circa 6 mm (female)
How do you identify Photomorphus banksi?
Bradley (1916) describes the male: Coal-black, with erect white pubescence, mixed with shorter, decumbent, brown pubescence on the mesonotum and second dorsal segment; wings slightly clouded, more so beyond the venation. See comments on image of female.
Where is Photomorphus banksi found?
Range: Southeastern United States: New Jersey south to Florida, Alabama (Discover Life)