"Consider the Ant . . . ." - Bearded Harvester Ant on Cactus Spine
Large Female Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) - not fire ants, but they do have a strong bite mixed with formic acid.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insect
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Autumn Foraging, Arid Chaparral, Rocky Mountain Front Range, Colorado, Hot Afternoon.
These colonies tend to be about 4" (10.2 cm) high and 12"-48" (30.5-122 cm) in diameter, with 3-8 trails (arms) emanating from each colony. The inner colony channel descends at an angle and is about 8'2" (2.5m) deep.
In the morning the colony door (covered with small grains of sand and bits of gravel) reopens. The first ants to depart the colony are the scouts. They go in search of food, primarily seeds; a process called myrmecochory (or, "circular dance") where plants (seed dispersal) and these ants (food source) benefit mutually.
When they find food, they return to the colony, marking the path with their scent along the way. This way, the other workers will know where to begin their day's efforts.
The workers that don't forage will tend to their hill and the queen and her brood. The macro world of ants is fascinating!
"Consider the Ant . . . ." - Bearded Harvester Ant on Cactus Spine
Large Female Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) - not fire ants, but they do have a strong bite mixed with formic acid.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insect
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Autumn Foraging, Arid Chaparral, Rocky Mountain Front Range, Colorado, Hot Afternoon.
These colonies tend to be about 4" (10.2 cm) high and 12"-48" (30.5-122 cm) in diameter, with 3-8 trails (arms) emanating from each colony. The inner colony channel descends at an angle and is about 8'2" (2.5m) deep.
In the morning the colony door (covered with small grains of sand and bits of gravel) reopens. The first ants to depart the colony are the scouts. They go in search of food, primarily seeds; a process called myrmecochory (or, "circular dance") where plants (seed dispersal) and these ants (food source) benefit mutually.
When they find food, they return to the colony, marking the path with their scent along the way. This way, the other workers will know where to begin their day's efforts.
The workers that don't forage will tend to their hill and the queen and her brood. The macro world of ants is fascinating!