The primary source of food for Red Harvester Ants are seeds, which they hoard in great numbers, hence their common name. Pogonomyrmex barbatus will forage at distances up to around 20 meters from the nest site.
Mated females (and hence colonies) have been known to live for up to 20 years. It is still not fully understood what triggers the annual mating flights, but the female may mate with a number of males and the males die shortly after the occasion.
The newly mated female (known as the queen) will use the sperm from these flights to produce offspring for the rest of her life. She will never again emerge from the nest site.
Red Harvester Ants can be aggressive and have a painful sting that spreads through the lymph nodes, sometimes causing reactions in individuals allergic to their venom.
This species has been observed to be in decline. This has been attributed to competition for food with the invasive Red Imported Fire Ant in particular.
Nests will reach up to a meter in diameter and colonies are considered mature at around 5 years when the number of workers will stabilise at around 10 - 12,000 individuals. They can be identified by the large number of seed husks around the nest entrance.
Individuals have roles in the colony, carrying out distinct roles. Workers who work outside the nest could be scouts (patrolling), foragers, nest maintenance or midden workers. Workers who fulfil roles inside the nest could be brood care, seed storage, nest construction or be in reserve.
Tags: Pogonomyrmex | barbatus
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