Images of the not-frequently-seen Pogonomyrmex bicolor in Arizona, USA.
Scroll down PAST BOTTOM OF PAGE for complete image description, and CLICK large image to make it even LARGER...
Scroll down PAST BOTTOM OF PAGE for complete image description, and CLICK large image to make it even LARGER...
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 10:01AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
[IMAGE 1 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-H5KdsKP/0/Ti/6858_10_7Df-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 10:01AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
[IMAGE 1 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:01AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 2 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-FNSWGz8/0/Ti/6750_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:01AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 2 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:03AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 3 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-PzTGfbG/0/Ti/6754_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:03AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 3 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:10AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 4 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-PH7fMJG/0/Ti/6760_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:10AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 4 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:10AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 5 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-5Hsmzhm/0/Ti/6762_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:10AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 5 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:57AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
The movement of soil particles is a common activity at most Pogonomyrmex nests, as the workers excavate subterranean tunnels and galleries, and work on the external nest structure. Here, a Pogonomyrmex bicolor worker removes a large pebble from the nest entrance, and carries it away to be discarded.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-sQVmqbF/1/Ti/6844_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:57AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
The movement of soil particles is a common activity at most Pogonomyrmex nests, as the workers excavate subterranean tunnels and galleries, and work on the external nest structure. Here, a Pogonomyrmex bicolor worker removes a large pebble from the nest entrance, and carries it away to be discarded.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/05/10 11:43AM sunny, air temp: 28°C / 83°F
{IMAGE 1 of 3] Activity around the nest entrance of Pogonomyrmex bicolor. Though not much is known about the biology of these ants, they apparently harvest grass seeds in significant quantities. Both nests at this location were surrounded by huge amounts of discarded grass parts (chaff). In these images, workers are mostly removing grass awns, and other debris from the nest - presumably after having secured the nutritious seeds. Foragers from one nest were traveling up to 9 m / 30 ft to an area with cut-down grass stems, and some were observed returning to the nest with plant matter.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-Tc3mNWb/2/Ti/6667_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/05/10 11:43AM sunny, air temp: 28°C / 83°F
{IMAGE 1 of 3] Activity around the nest entrance of Pogonomyrmex bicolor. Though not much is known about the biology of these ants, they apparently harvest grass seeds in significant quantities. Both nests at this location were surrounded by huge amounts of discarded grass parts (chaff). In these images, workers are mostly removing grass awns, and other debris from the nest - presumably after having secured the nutritious seeds. Foragers from one nest were traveling up to 9 m / 30 ft to an area with cut-down grass stems, and some were observed returning to the nest with plant matter.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:39AM sunny, air temp: 23°C / 73°F
{IMAGE 2 of 3] Activity around the nest entrance of Pogonomyrmex bicolor. Though not much is known about the biology of these ants, they apparently harvest grass seeds in significant quantities. Both nests at this location were surrounded by huge amounts of discarded grass parts (chaff). In these images, workers are mostly removing grass awns, and other debris from the nest - presumably after having secured the nutritious seeds. Foragers from one nest were traveling up to 9 m / 30 ft to an area with cut-down grass stems, and some were observed returning to the nest with plant matter.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-FRHkfx2/0/Ti/6809_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:39AM sunny, air temp: 23°C / 73°F
{IMAGE 2 of 3] Activity around the nest entrance of Pogonomyrmex bicolor. Though not much is known about the biology of these ants, they apparently harvest grass seeds in significant quantities. Both nests at this location were surrounded by huge amounts of discarded grass parts (chaff). In these images, workers are mostly removing grass awns, and other debris from the nest - presumably after having secured the nutritious seeds. Foragers from one nest were traveling up to 9 m / 30 ft to an area with cut-down grass stems, and some were observed returning to the nest with plant matter.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 10:01AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
{IMAGE 3 of 3] Activity around the nest entrance of Pogonomyrmex bicolor. Though not much is known about the biology of these ants, they apparently harvest grass seeds in significant quantities. Both nests at this location were surrounded by huge amounts of discarded grass parts (chaff). In these images, workers are mostly removing grass awns, and other debris from the nest - presumably after having secured the nutritious seeds. Foragers from one nest were traveling up to 9 m / 30 ft to an area with cut-down grass stems, and some were observed returning to the nest with plant matter.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-Kg4MXSf/0/Ti/6856_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 10:01AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
{IMAGE 3 of 3] Activity around the nest entrance of Pogonomyrmex bicolor. Though not much is known about the biology of these ants, they apparently harvest grass seeds in significant quantities. Both nests at this location were surrounded by huge amounts of discarded grass parts (chaff). In these images, workers are mostly removing grass awns, and other debris from the nest - presumably after having secured the nutritious seeds. Foragers from one nest were traveling up to 9 m / 30 ft to an area with cut-down grass stems, and some were observed returning to the nest with plant matter.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 12:07PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
The external nest structure of Pogonomyrmex bicolor can take many forms, including small craters made of sand and pebbles, large low sandy mounds up to 0.9 m / 3 ft in diameter, or even indistinct entrance holes with little superstructure. This image shows the larger of two P. bicolor nests at this location - we were shocked to discover that this substantial crater was made entirely of chaff! There was no significant sand or gravel structure below this discarded plant material. This nest was in the middle of a foot path, and bears a human footprint on its southern rim. Unpainted portion of measuring stick is 1 foot in length - red indicator points north.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-s4MP6xn/0/Ti/2490_10_7C-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 12:07PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
The external nest structure of Pogonomyrmex bicolor can take many forms, including small craters made of sand and pebbles, large low sandy mounds up to 0.9 m / 3 ft in diameter, or even indistinct entrance holes with little superstructure. This image shows the larger of two P. bicolor nests at this location - we were shocked to discover that this substantial crater was made entirely of chaff! There was no significant sand or gravel structure below this discarded plant material. This nest was in the middle of a foot path, and bears a human footprint on its southern rim. Unpainted portion of measuring stick is 1 foot in length - red indicator points north.")
● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:03AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
● 11/06/10 9:03AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 3 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:03AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 3 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-bicolor/i-PzTGfbG/0/M/6754_10_7D-M.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:03AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 3 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.")
● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:03AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
● 11/06/10 9:03AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
[IMAGE 3 of 5] Whenever we approached either of the two P. bicolor nests at this location, one or two workers would immediately climb a grass stem and remain there, while appearing to watch us closely. Occasionally, the mandibles would be opened in a feeble defensive display. The rest of the workers (on the ground) went about their business, and ignored us completely. As mentioned earlier, the ants made no attempt to bite or sting, no matter how closely we approached. The very fine and silky-looking surface sculpture can also be seen in these images.