Temnothorax caryaluteus
This record describes Temnothorax caryaluteus (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The workers of this species can be differentiated from other members of the Temnothorax schaumii-group by range and the length of the spines. The range of T. caryaluteus is primarily allopatric to the northern T. ambiguus . It can be distinguished from T. curvispinosus by the length of the spines, which are the same length as distance apart at the base. The habitus of T. schaumii is quite different and the propodeal spines of that species are undeveloped, resembling little pricks. From Prebus et. al. 2024: We found that workers of Temnothorax caryaluteus sp. nov. are consistently distinguishable from those of Temnothorax ambiguus based on the smaller ratio of the width of the petiolar node to the overall petiole in dorsal view ... and the distance between the tips of the propodeal spines in dorsal view ... Additionally, Temnothorax caryaluteus is distinguishable from T. curvispinosus by the length of the propodeal spine in profile view. This is a primarily arboreal species. This species has been collected in Alabama on moss growing on the side of water tupelo ( Nyssa aquatica ). In Virginia, alates of both sexes were collected at a blacklight in June. - O. Yung Personal Note
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Crematogastrini
- Genus
- Temnothorax (Acorn Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
A southeastern species, with the current northern extent of its range ranging from Delaware west to southern Indiana southwest to central Oklahoma and the southern extent of its range being from south-central Mississippi to the foot of the Appalachians in Georgia. Information derived from the range map in Prebus et. al. 2024.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Temnothorax caryaluteus Prebus, Nguyen, Doering & Booher, 2024
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Temnothorax caryaluteus. 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 Temnothorax caryaluteus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by James C. Trager; Additional contributions by Nathaniel Green , Oliver.Yung
Frequently Asked Questions About Temnothorax caryaluteus
What is Temnothorax caryaluteus?
Temnothorax caryaluteus is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Temnothorax caryaluteus?
The workers of this species can be differentiated from other members of the Temnothorax schaumii-group by range and the length of the spines. The range of T. caryaluteus is primarily allopatric to the northern T. ambiguus . It can be distinguished from T. curvispinosus by the length of the spines, which are the same length as distance apart at the base. The habitus of T. schaumii is quite different and the propodeal spines of that species are undeveloped, resembling little pricks. From Prebus et. al. 2024: We found that workers of Temnothorax caryaluteus sp. nov. are consistently distinguishable from those of Temnothorax ambiguus based on the smaller ratio of the width of the petiolar node to the overall petiole in dorsal view ... and the distance between the tips of the propodeal spines in dorsal view ... Additionally, Temnothorax caryaluteus is distinguishable from T. curvispinosus by the length of the propodeal spine in profile view.
Where is Temnothorax caryaluteus found?
Range: A southeastern species, with the current northern extent of its range ranging from Delaware west to southern Indiana southwest to central Oklahoma and the southern extent of its range being from south-central Mississippi to the foot of the Appalachians in Georgia. Information derived from the range map in Prebus et. al. 2024.