California Harvester Ant

Pogonomyrmex californicus

Photographed along Camp Creek, Maricopa Co., Arizona on 13 Sept 2008.

Formicidae -- Ant Family

Photographed along Skunk Creek, Maricopa Co., Arizona on 23 Mar 2018.

Large, long-legged, often fast-moving ants that gather seeds and insect prey as food. Nests are generally made in loose sand or soil leaving a characteristic, hemispherical mound. Common in the Sonoran Desert especially near broad, sandy flood plains. Usually bright red, however, some specimens may have black abdomens. 'Pogos' as these harvester ants are called have a specialized basket of hairs below the mandibles called a psammaphore that assists in hauling loose soil particles. There is a stinger at the posterior of the abdomen that can deliver a painful sting.

Typical nest construction, near the Agua Fria river, south of Lake Pleasant, Maricopa Co., Arizona. 26 May 2014.

More Information:

• Bugguide.net Univ. of Iowa
• Ant Web
• 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.