Strumigenys pulchella
This record describes Strumigenys pulchella (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Flagellate apiscrobal hair is diagnostic within the pulchella group. This is the wiry thin hair sticking out the side of the face at the top of the antennal scrobes, highlighted in green here:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Attini
- Genus
- Strumigenys (Miniature Trap-jaw Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Cryptic soil dweller. Also found in rotten wood and old fallen nuts.
Geographic Range
Eastern US and Canada
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Springtails and small arthropods
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Strumigenys pulchella. 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 Strumigenys pulchella (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steven Wang
Frequently Asked Questions About Strumigenys pulchella
What is Strumigenys pulchella?
Strumigenys pulchella is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Strumigenys pulchella?
Flagellate apiscrobal hair is diagnostic within the pulchella group. This is the wiry thin hair sticking out the side of the face at the top of the antennal scrobes, highlighted in green here:
Where is Strumigenys pulchella found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Cryptic soil dweller. Also found in rotten wood and old fallen nuts. |
| Range | Eastern US and Canada |
What does Strumigenys pulchella eat?
The diet of the Strumigenys pulchella includes Springtails and small arthropods.