Pogonomyrmex rugosus
| Pogonomyrmex rugosus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| from New Mexico | |
 | |
| from Arizona | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Genus: | Pogonomyrmex |
| Species: | P. rugosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Pogonomyrmex rugosus | |
Pogonomyrmex rugosus, the desert harvester ant or rough harvester ant,[2][3] is a species of harvester ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae which is found in the southwestern United States,[4]and Northern Mexico.[5]
Biology
Pogonomyrmex rugosus can be found in open, sandy, and hot areas. They will typically forage during the day, bringing seeds back to the colony and scavenging dead insects they may find. Nests will often have a small circle around the entrance which has been cleared of foliage, making them easily recognizable.
Color Morphs
P. Rugosus has two distinct color variants. P. Rugosus found in southwestern deserts such as in California and Arizona, will feature a red and black color scheme, where as those found in more central parts of the United States and Mexico will be fully black.[6]
Reproduction
Pogonomyrmex Rugosus will typically perform their nuptial flights from July–September, during hot daytime conditions of 80–95°F and during elevated humidity, usually after rain the previous day.[7]
Colonies
P. rugosus colonies can grow to have up to 15,000 workers.[8]
Behavior
Foraging Tactics
P. rugosus workers use group foraging tactics that involve the creation of permanent pathways (trunk trails). They also use pheromones trails to draw other workers to areas of food-availability.[8]
Interspecies Interactions
Two other species of harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex anergismus and Pogonomyrmex colei, have no workers of their own. Instead, they live in the colonies of P. rugosus and Pogonomyrmex barbatus (red harvester ant) and enslave workers to raise reproductive males and females for them.[8]
References
- ↑ Emery, C. (1895). "Beiträge zur Kenntniss der nordamerikanischen Ameisenfauna. (Schluss.)". Zoologische Jahrbücher Abteilung für Systematik Ökologie und Geographie der Tiere. 8: 257–360.
- ↑ LIGHTON, JRB; WEIER, JA and FEENER, DH. 1993. THE ENERGETICS OF LOCOMOTION AND LOAD CARRIAGE IN THE DESERT HARVESTER ANT POGONOMYRMEX-RUGOSUS Journal of experimental biology 181, pp.49-61
- ↑ Del Toro, I.; Floyd, K.; Gardea-Torresdey, J.; Borrok, D. (2010). "Heavy metal distribution and bioaccumulation in Chihuahuan Desert Rough Harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex rugosus) populations". Environmental Pollution. 158 (5): 1281–7. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2010.01.024. PMID 20189272.
- ↑ "Species: Pogonomyrmex (Pogonomyrmex) (barbatus-group) rugosus". AntWeb. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ↑ "antmaps.org". antmaps.org. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ↑ "P.Rugosus bugguide". BugGuide. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "P. Rugosus AntWiki". Antwiki. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 Capinera, John L. (2008). Encyclopedia of entomology (2nd ed.). Dordrecht: Springer. ISBN 978-1402062421. OCLC 288440300.
External links
Media related to Pogonomyrmex rugosus at Wikimedia Commons