Red Harvester Ant

Pogonomyrmex rugosus

This colony of likely Rough Harvester Ants (P. rugosus) was photographed at Reach 11 Park in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. November 2011

Formicidae -- Ant Family

A rough harvester ant colony is founded by a sole founding queen and the only active reproductive. The queen continues to lay eggs as long as the colony survives over a period that may last longer than a decade. During this time a grand collection of seed hulls will accumulate in areas beyond the nest entrance. This natural mulch can become a wonderful seed bed once the queen has died and the colony collapses.

More Information:

• Bugguide.net Univ. of Iowa
• Ants of the Southwest
• Myrmecos.net
• Google Images
• Google Scholar Literature Search
• Book Reference: Venomous Animals of Arizona by Robert Smith (who was one of my profs at U.A.) available at Abe Books.