Graceful Twig Ant
Pseudomyrmex gracilis
This record describes Pseudomyrmex gracilis (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A long, solitary, wasp-like ant. Large eyes, two segmented petiole, well developed sting. Color varies with geographic distribution, and can range from dark brown-black, to orange-brown, or a mixture of orange and brown [bicolored]. The variation found in Florida is mostly described as bicolored with a black head, black abdomen, and an orange middle region. ♀: ♀♀: ♂: possesses a somewhat painful sting, perhaps approximate in intensity to the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta , but rarely uses it. (Graham Montgomery, pers. obs.)
Wikipedia reference for Pseudomyrmex gracilis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elongate_twig_ant.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Pseudomyrmecinae
- Genus
- Pseudomyrmex (Twig Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Arboreal
Geographic Range
Gulf Coast (SC-FL-TX) to S. Amer. - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: live insects (especially lepidopteran larvae), fungal spores; tends aphids for honeydew
Life History
Small nests. Leave pheromone trails. Unlike other congeners, not associated with Acacia trees.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pseudomyrmex gracilis (Fabricius 1804)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pseudomyrmex gracilis. 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 Graceful Twig Ant (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Brad Barnd; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , Graham M , Ron M. , Robert Lord Zimlich , v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Graceful Twig Ant
What is Graceful Twig Ant?
Graceful Twig Ant (Pseudomyrmex gracilis) is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Graceful Twig Ant?
8-10 mm
How do you identify Graceful Twig Ant?
A long, solitary, wasp-like ant. Large eyes, two segmented petiole, well developed sting. Color varies with geographic distribution, and can range from dark brown-black, to orange-brown, or a mixture of orange and brown [bicolored]. The variation found in Florida is mostly described as bicolored with a black head, black abdomen, and an orange middle region. ♀: ♀♀: ♂:
Where is Graceful Twig Ant found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Arboreal |
| Range | Gulf Coast (SC-FL-TX) to S. Amer. - Map |
What does Graceful Twig Ant eat?
The diet of the Graceful Twig Ant includes live insects (especially lepidopteran larvae), fungal spores; tends aphids for honeydew.
What is the life cycle of a Graceful Twig Ant?
Small nests. Leave pheromone trails. Unlike other congeners, not associated with Acacia trees.