Sphaeropthalma pluto
This record describes Sphaeropthalma pluto (species). Recorded family: Mutillidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Male has entirely black abdomen and small ventral mandibular tooth - Kevin Williams
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
- Sphaeropthalma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ, NM, TX
Seasonal Activity
June to August
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Sphaeropthalma (Photopsis) pluto (Fox, 1899)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Sphaeropthalma pluto. 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 Sphaeropthalma pluto (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Elliott Gordon; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Sphaeropthalma pluto
What is Sphaeropthalma pluto?
Sphaeropthalma pluto is a species in the family Mutillidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Sphaeropthalma pluto?
Male has entirely black abdomen and small ventral mandibular tooth - Kevin Williams
Where is Sphaeropthalma pluto found?
Range: AZ, NM, TX
When is Sphaeropthalma pluto active?
Sphaeropthalma pluto: seasonal activity - June to August.