Pogonomyrmex barbatus

Hormiga cosechadora roja del desierto

Pogonomyrmex barbatus

Red Harvester Ant

intermedio

Iconic red ant of the American southwest. Great seed collector. Its colonies create spectacular foraging chains. Has potent venom: stings are very painful.

Temperature

26–35 °C

Humidity

20–40%

Colony size

5,000–15,000

Hibernation

November – February

Growth

🐌 Slow

Frequency

Every 5 days

Recommended feeding

Carbohydrates

Sugar water (very small amounts)

Proteins

Small to medium insects

Seeds

Grass seedsSunflower seedsPoppy seedsFlax seeds

Seeds make up 80% of their diet. Little water: desert species. Do not over-wet the nest.

NEVER give

Excess moistureCitrusSaltJuicy fruits

Nuptial flight

July – August

After the first intense summer rains (>25 mm). Temperature >28°C. Morning flight.

The flight is synchronized with the first monsoon rains in Texas and New Mexico. In captivity in Europe, the nuptial flight is difficult to reproduce.

This species produces soldiers (majors) with differentiated morphology.

CAUTION: very painful sting. Use gloves. Nest must be extremely dry. Species legal in Europe as a pet.

Queen activity by month

Estimated queen fertility (%)

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