Wine-red Amazon ant
Polyergus vinosus
This record describes Polyergus vinosus (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
In full face view, antennal scapes reaching or often exceeding the rear margin of the head in repose. The only essentially chaparral Polyergus .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Formicinae
- Tribe
- Formicini
- Genus
- Polyergus (Amazon Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Chaparral, chaparral grading into woodland ecotone, often in dense vegetation of draws and near wet-weather streams. Host is exclusively Formica moki .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The more or less wine-red color of this ant explains both the Latin and English names. It might also help to remember that is range and habitat is roughly coincident with the coastal California "wine country".
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Polyergus vinosus. 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 Wine-red Amazon ant (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by James C. Trager
Frequently Asked Questions About Wine-red Amazon ant
What is Wine-red Amazon ant?
Wine-red Amazon ant (Polyergus vinosus) is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Wine-red Amazon ant?
In full face view, antennal scapes reaching or often exceeding the rear margin of the head in repose. The only essentially chaparral Polyergus .
Where is Wine-red Amazon ant found?
Habitat: Chaparral, chaparral grading into woodland ecotone, often in dense vegetation of draws and near wet-weather streams. Host is exclusively Formica moki .