Monomorium ergatogyna
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Monomorium ergatogyna is a species of myrmicine ant. This ant is a shiny black color and contains only a single worker caste, making them a monomorphic species. It is also polygynous, meaning a colony contains multiple fertile queens living together. They are native to California, Nevada, and Utah, and are usually found in cities or on the coast (in California also being found on islands near the coast). When compared to other Monomorium species, they are found to have the longest living queens and can live up 2 years in captivity. M. ergatogyna is often mistaken for Monomorium carbonarium as they are similar in appearance. Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) have been discovered to be actively pushing this species out of its original territory.
Some speculation as to the difference between the island species and the coastal mainland species in California has been brought up. A few argue that the mainland species are not actually "true" ergatogyna but a different species or subspecies, they point to the size difference of island queens and mainland queens. Another point is that mainland species appear to be allopatric, but more evidence must be brought forward to prove this point. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | San Francisco | 🇺🇸 United States |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Monomorium ergatogyna sighting in San Francisco on a given day, based on 29 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 313th most-seen of the 737 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
Any time of year
In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Monomorium ergatogyna in San Francisco on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.
Among the best
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Monomorium ergatogyna sightings, San Francisco ranks 2nd at under 5%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Sacramento (United States, under 5%).
Same family: Formicidae
The closest relatives of the Monomorium ergatogyna that you can see in San Francisco (family Formicidae, Ants) are Argentine Ant (about 10%) and American Winter Ant (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Monomorium ergatogyna is recorded against all the insects logged in San Francisco (29 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
