Timulla contigua
This record describes Timulla contigua (species). Recorded family: Mutillidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
female: sides of thorax weakly emarginate; front, vertex and dorsum of the thorax with moderate, contiguous punctures; legs entirely black (Mickel 1937) uncommon, and a bit of an enigma. male unknown (G. Waldren, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2015)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Pompiloidea
- Family
- Mutillidae (Velvet Ants)
- Subfamily
- Mutillinae
- Tribe
- Trogaspidiini
- Genus
- Timulla
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
s. TX (BG data)( Discover Life )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Timulla contigua Mickel 1937
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Timulla contigua. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Timulla contigua
What is Timulla contigua?
Timulla contigua is a species in the family Mutillidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Timulla contigua?
female: sides of thorax weakly emarginate; front, vertex and dorsum of the thorax with moderate, contiguous punctures; legs entirely black (Mickel 1937)
Where is Timulla contigua found?
Range: s. TX (BG data)( Discover Life )