Pogonomyrmex pima
This record describes Pogonomyrmex pima (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to P. imberbiculus but without a strongly forwards protruding clypeal flange (right below the antennal insertions).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Pogonomyrmecini
- Genus
- Pogonomyrmex (Harvester Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Nesting under stones or in the open, with a small crater about three inches in diameter.
Geographic Range
Lower elevations in Arizona (sea level to 2,400ft), south into adjacent and central Mexico.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Seeds and dead arthropods
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pogonomyrmex pima Wheeler 1909
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pogonomyrmex pima. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pogonomyrmex pima
What is Pogonomyrmex pima?
Pogonomyrmex pima is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Pogonomyrmex pima?
Similar to P. imberbiculus but without a strongly forwards protruding clypeal flange (right below the antennal insertions).
Where is Pogonomyrmex pima found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Nesting under stones or in the open, with a small crater about three inches in diameter. |
| Range | Lower elevations in Arizona (sea level to 2,400ft), south into adjacent and central Mexico. |
What does Pogonomyrmex pima eat?
The diet of the Pogonomyrmex pima includes Seeds and dead arthropods.