Subfamily MYRMICINAE |
|
 |
 |
Pogonomyrmex badius, full face view of major worker (click image to enlarge) .
|
Pogonomyrmex badius, profile view of a major worker. Note the psammophore on the ventral side of the head. |
 |
 |
P. badius workers |
P. badius colony at Ohoopee Dunes, Emanuel Co. GA |
 |
 |
P. badius colony in GA |
P. badius colony in Smith Co., MS |
Pogonomyrmex badius (the Florida harvester ant) workers are strongly dimorphic with major workers having large heads and being much larger than the minor workers. They are large ants that recognized by their size, the presence of a psammophore (a series of long hairs-see photo above) on the ventral surface of the head, metasternal process in the form of two large prominent teeth, palp formula 5, 3, and the middle and hind tibial spurs being pectinate. This species nests in deep sand habitats and makes large crater like nests that are often covered with debris and with many individuals in a colony. Pogonomyrmex badius is the only species in the genus found east of the Mississippi River. Until recently, this species was thought to have been extirpated from Mississippi by competition from imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta and S. richteri) and from control measures aimed at the fire ants. However, since 2006, harvester ants have documented to occur in many sandy areas in Mississippi (MacGown et al. 2008). Literature Cited MacGown, J. A., J. G. Hill, L. C. Majure, J. L. Seltzer. 2008. Rediscovery of Pogonomyrmex badius (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in mainland Mississippi, with an analysis of associated seeds and vegetation (online: http://midsouthentomologist.org.msstate.edu/Volume1/Vol1_1_html_files/vol1-1_004.html). Midsouth Entomologist 1 (1): 17-28. [pdf] LInks |
|
MEM | Research Taxa | Introduction | Faunal Lists | Identification | How to Use the Keys | Glossary | Collecting Tips | Specimen Preparation MEM Publications | MEM Ant Publications | Ant Videos | Ant News | MEM Ant Blog | References | Acknowledgments | Links
Author-Joe MacGown: jmacgown@entomology.msstate.edu
The ant web site was uploaded on 6 March 2003 and was last updated on 11 September 2024
(specific pages may have different uploaded and updated dates)
Drawings and photographs by Joe MacGown (unless otherwise noted) and copyrighted by the Mississippi Entomological Museum
The development of this web site was supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture, under Project No. MIS-012040 and the USDA-ARS Areawide Management of Imported Fire Ant Project (Richard L. Brown, Principal Investigator).