Platythyrea punctata
This record describes Platythyrea punctata (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The one Nearctic species is easily recognized. The two pectinate spurs on the hind leg immediately separate it from all other Nearctic ponerine genera.( Hedlund 2003) Platythyrea is characterized by the following apomorphy (Bolton 2003): Sculpture pruinose throughout( TOL ) Workers are active, forage singly, and are carnivorous and predatory (Smith, D.R. 1979: 1336). Many colonies in FL have no queens and reproduce by the egg laying of a single, uninseminated worker (Schilder, Heinze & Hölldobler, 1999. Insectes Soc. 46: 150-158).( Hedlund 2003) In other populations, males have been found and inseminated workers ('gamergates') reproduce sexually. In addition, in other populations queens have been found very rarely. In contrast to 'normal' Hymenoptera where females are diploid and emerge from fertilised eggs while males are haploid and emerge from unfertilised eggs (arrhenotokous parthenogenesis), here diploid females can emerge from unfertilised eggs.( Kellner ) Probably introduced, from Central and South America
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Ponerinae
- Tribe
- Platythyreini
- Genus
- Platythyrea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"This species nests in small colonies of up to two hundred individuals, usually in rotten logs and stumps or under the bark of trees in shady situations."( Hedlund 2003) The specimen in the image submitted by Jeff Hollenbeck was collected under pine bark in a shady area.
Geographic Range
in US, mostly FL peninsula, also s. TX to Panama, Brazil / W. Indies - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: "Some species are specialized predators on termites, others specialize in adult beetles, and others may be general predators. They can inflict a severe sting."( Hedlund 2003)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Platythyrea punctata (Smith, 1858)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Platythyrea punctata. 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 Platythyrea punctata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Platythyrea punctata
What is Platythyrea punctata?
Platythyrea punctata is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Platythyrea punctata?
The one Nearctic species is easily recognized. The two pectinate spurs on the hind leg immediately separate it from all other Nearctic ponerine genera.( Hedlund 2003) Platythyrea is characterized by the following apomorphy (Bolton 2003): Sculpture pruinose throughout( TOL )
Where is Platythyrea punctata found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | This species nests in small colonies of up to two hundred individuals, usually in rotten logs and stumps or under the bark of trees in shady situations.( Hedlund 2003) The specimen in the image submitted by Jeff Hollenbeck was collected under pine bark in a shady area. |
| Range | in US, mostly FL peninsula, also s. TX to Panama, Brazil / W. Indies - Map |
What does Platythyrea punctata eat?
The diet of the Platythyrea punctata includes Some species are specialized predators on termites, others specialize in adult beetles, and others may be general predators. They can inflict a severe sting.( Hedlund 2003).