Images of Pogonomyrmex subdentatus in Nevada, USA.
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Scroll down PAST BOTTOM OF PAGE for complete image description, and CLICK large image to make it even LARGER...
***There may be multiple image pages; use red page/image controls below to see them all!***
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 7:15AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 19°C / 66°F
Two Pogonomyrmex subdentatus workers near their nest entrance. The ant on the left is carrying excavated sand from the nest interior, and each worker is sweeping the other with her antennae. [scroll down for additional notes/references]
ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
It is common to see workers waving their antennae over each other as they come and go around the nest entrance. Ants from the same colony have a distinctive odor (detectable by the ants) - and with a quick sweep of the antennae, a worker can chemically discriminate between a nestmate and an intruder. The ants can also receive and transmit important task, and status-related cues that help regulate foraging and other behaviors (including those concerning reproductive status). This is all facilitated by chemical compounds (hydrocarbons) that are produced within the ants' bodies, and that eventually reside on the outer layer of the ant's exoskeleton (cuticle). The frequent grooming by ants, of nestmates and themselves, helps distribute these nest/task/status-recognition labels throughout the colony.
·Greene, M.J. & D.M. Gordon. 2007. How Patrollers Set Foraging Direction in Harvester Ants. The American Naturalist, Vol. 170, No. 6, December 2007
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson.1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA, Belknap/Harvard Press
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 2009. The Superorganism. W.W. Norton & Company, New York and London
·Wagner, D.,M. Tissot, W. Cuevas, and D.M. Gordon. 2000. Harvester Ants Utilize Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Nestmate Recognition. Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 26, No. 10, 2000](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-TLdSpBh/1/Ti/8277_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 7:15AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 19°C / 66°F
Two Pogonomyrmex subdentatus workers near their nest entrance. The ant on the left is carrying excavated sand from the nest interior, and each worker is sweeping the other with her antennae. [scroll down for additional notes/references]
ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
It is common to see workers waving their antennae over each other as they come and go around the nest entrance. Ants from the same colony have a distinctive odor (detectable by the ants) - and with a quick sweep of the antennae, a worker can chemically discriminate between a nestmate and an intruder. The ants can also receive and transmit important task, and status-related cues that help regulate foraging and other behaviors (including those concerning reproductive status). This is all facilitated by chemical compounds (hydrocarbons) that are produced within the ants' bodies, and that eventually reside on the outer layer of the ant's exoskeleton (cuticle). The frequent grooming by ants, of nestmates and themselves, helps distribute these nest/task/status-recognition labels throughout the colony.
·Greene, M.J. & D.M. Gordon. 2007. How Patrollers Set Foraging Direction in Harvester Ants. The American Naturalist, Vol. 170, No. 6, December 2007
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson.1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA, Belknap/Harvard Press
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 2009. The Superorganism. W.W. Norton & Company, New York and London
·Wagner, D.,M. Tissot, W. Cuevas, and D.M. Gordon. 2000. Harvester Ants Utilize Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Nestmate Recognition. Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 26, No. 10, 2000")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 7:32AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 19°C / 66°F
A Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker in northwestern Nevada, USA.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-m3JsnWN/2/Ti/8335_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 7:32AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 19°C / 66°F
A Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker in northwestern Nevada, USA.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:44PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
Ground-nesting ants are constantly removing excavated soil particles from the nest interior, and in many cases, small pebbles are added to the external nest structure (as is the case in this image). This Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker is placing a relatively large pebble near the nest entrance.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-mB2L2dw/1/Ti/8260_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:44PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
Ground-nesting ants are constantly removing excavated soil particles from the nest interior, and in many cases, small pebbles are added to the external nest structure (as is the case in this image). This Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker is placing a relatively large pebble near the nest entrance.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 8:59AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
A Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker in northwestern Nevada, USA.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-ghpJB5L/1/Ti/8365_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 8:59AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
A Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker in northwestern Nevada, USA.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/26/11 8:55PM sunny, air temp: 16°C / 60°F
A Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker in northwestern Nevada, USA. The distinctive surface sculpture is clearly visible in many of these images.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-zpq4bz7/1/Ti/8517_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/26/11 8:55PM sunny, air temp: 16°C / 60°F
A Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker in northwestern Nevada, USA. The distinctive surface sculpture is clearly visible in many of these images.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 8:59AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
At this location [see map link above] many Pogonomyrmex subdentatus nests are built in fine, loose sand. Many workers could be seen keeping nest entrances clear, as sand shifted due to the ants' activities, and wind. Here, a worker kicks sand back with her forelegs.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-GvgzG8Z/1/Ti/8368_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 8:59AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 21°C / 70°F
At this location [see map link above] many Pogonomyrmex subdentatus nests are built in fine, loose sand. Many workers could be seen keeping nest entrances clear, as sand shifted due to the ants' activities, and wind. Here, a worker kicks sand back with her forelegs.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:34PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
[IMAGE 1 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-FjZxkDC/1/Ti/8215_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:34PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
[IMAGE 1 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:34PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
[IMAGE 2 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-BMkgqJZ/1/Ti/8215_11_7Dc-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:34PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
[IMAGE 2 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:35PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
[IMAGE 3 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-Jh4W8Rn/3/Ti/8233_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:35PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
[IMAGE 3 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:35PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
[IMAGE 4 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-zWpbwLV/1/Ti/8233_11_7Dc-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:35PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
[IMAGE 4 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:35PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
[IMAGE 5 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-MX47MqM/1/Ti/8245_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/21/11 12:35PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F
[IMAGE 5 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 11:33AM sunny, air temp: 25°C / 77°F
[IMAGE 6 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-tsbXBSr/1/Ti/8386_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 11:33AM sunny, air temp: 25°C / 77°F
[IMAGE 6 of 6] This series of images depicts Pogonomyrmex subdentatus, and P. californicus workers fighting. Often, when foraging Pogonomyrmex workers from different nests (either of the same, or different species) encounter each other, combat ensues. In these images, the larger, lighter colored ant is P. californicus, and the smaller, darker red ant is P. subdentatus. Several such fighting pairs were observed on these two days. In all cases, it appeared that both ants were mortally wounded, having antennae, limbs, and often their gasters (hindmost abdominal segment) severed completely. The dead and dying workers remained intertwined. On other occasions, we have observed Pogonomyrmex sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/26/11 9:05AM sunny, air temp: 16°C / 60°F
[IMAGE 1 of 2] A Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker with a dead caddisfly. On this day, workers of both P. subdentatus and P. californicus were eagerly scavenging these dead and dying insects.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-nsnTtTv/1/Ti/8533_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/26/11 9:05AM sunny, air temp: 16°C / 60°F
[IMAGE 1 of 2] A Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker with a dead caddisfly. On this day, workers of both P. subdentatus and P. californicus were eagerly scavenging these dead and dying insects.")
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/26/11 9:07AM sunny, air temp: 16°C / 60°F
[IMAGE 2 of 2] A Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker with a dead caddisfly. On this day, workers of both P. subdentatus and P. californicus were eagerly scavenging these dead and dying insects.](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-vs6JtV8/1/Ti/8551_11_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/26/11 9:07AM sunny, air temp: 16°C / 60°F
[IMAGE 2 of 2] A Pogonomyrmex subdentatus worker with a dead caddisfly. On this day, workers of both P. subdentatus and P. californicus were eagerly scavenging these dead and dying insects.")
● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 7:15AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 19°C / 66°F
● 9/23/11 7:15AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 19°C / 66°F
Two Pogonomyrmex subdentatus workers near their nest entrance. The ant on the left is carrying excavated sand from the nest interior, and each worker is sweeping the other with her antennae. [scroll down for additional notes/references]
ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
It is common to see workers waving their antennae over each other as they come and go around the nest entrance. Ants from the same colony have a distinctive odor (detectable by the ants) - and with a quick sweep of the antennae, a worker can chemically discriminate between a nestmate and an intruder. The ants can also receive and transmit important task, and status-related cues that help regulate foraging and other behaviors (including those concerning reproductive status). This is all facilitated by chemical compounds (hydrocarbons) that are produced within the ants' bodies, and that eventually reside on the outer layer of the ant's exoskeleton (cuticle). The frequent grooming by ants, of nestmates and themselves, helps distribute these nest/task/status-recognition labels throughout the colony.
·Greene, M.J. & D.M. Gordon. 2007. How Patrollers Set Foraging Direction in Harvester Ants. The American Naturalist, Vol. 170, No. 6, December 2007
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson.1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA, Belknap/Harvard Press
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 2009. The Superorganism. W.W. Norton & Company, New York and London
·Wagner, D.,M. Tissot, W. Cuevas, and D.M. Gordon. 2000. Harvester Ants Utilize Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Nestmate Recognition. Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 26, No. 10, 2000
It is common to see workers waving their antennae over each other as they come and go around the nest entrance. Ants from the same colony have a distinctive odor (detectable by the ants) - and with a quick sweep of the antennae, a worker can chemically discriminate between a nestmate and an intruder. The ants can also receive and transmit important task, and status-related cues that help regulate foraging and other behaviors (including those concerning reproductive status). This is all facilitated by chemical compounds (hydrocarbons) that are produced within the ants' bodies, and that eventually reside on the outer layer of the ant's exoskeleton (cuticle). The frequent grooming by ants, of nestmates and themselves, helps distribute these nest/task/status-recognition labels throughout the colony.
·Greene, M.J. & D.M. Gordon. 2007. How Patrollers Set Foraging Direction in Harvester Ants. The American Naturalist, Vol. 170, No. 6, December 2007
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson.1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA, Belknap/Harvard Press
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 2009. The Superorganism. W.W. Norton & Company, New York and London
·Wagner, D.,M. Tissot, W. Cuevas, and D.M. Gordon. 2000. Harvester Ants Utilize Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Nestmate Recognition. Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 26, No. 10, 2000
![pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 7:15AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 19°C / 66°F
Two Pogonomyrmex subdentatus workers near their nest entrance. The ant on the left is carrying excavated sand from the nest interior, and each worker is sweeping the other with her antennae. [scroll down for additional notes/references]
ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
It is common to see workers waving their antennae over each other as they come and go around the nest entrance. Ants from the same colony have a distinctive odor (detectable by the ants) - and with a quick sweep of the antennae, a worker can chemically discriminate between a nestmate and an intruder. The ants can also receive and transmit important task, and status-related cues that help regulate foraging and other behaviors (including those concerning reproductive status). This is all facilitated by chemical compounds (hydrocarbons) that are produced within the ants' bodies, and that eventually reside on the outer layer of the ant's exoskeleton (cuticle). The frequent grooming by ants, of nestmates and themselves, helps distribute these nest/task/status-recognition labels throughout the colony.
·Greene, M.J. & D.M. Gordon. 2007. How Patrollers Set Foraging Direction in Harvester Ants. The American Naturalist, Vol. 170, No. 6, December 2007
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson.1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA, Belknap/Harvard Press
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 2009. The Superorganism. W.W. Norton & Company, New York and London
·Wagner, D.,M. Tissot, W. Cuevas, and D.M. Gordon. 2000. Harvester Ants Utilize Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Nestmate Recognition. Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 26, No. 10, 2000](http://www.pogolumina.net/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus/i-TLdSpBh/1/M/8277_11_7D-M.jpg "pogolumina > ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 7:15AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 19°C / 66°F
Two Pogonomyrmex subdentatus workers near their nest entrance. The ant on the left is carrying excavated sand from the nest interior, and each worker is sweeping the other with her antennae. [scroll down for additional notes/references]
ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
It is common to see workers waving their antennae over each other as they come and go around the nest entrance. Ants from the same colony have a distinctive odor (detectable by the ants) - and with a quick sweep of the antennae, a worker can chemically discriminate between a nestmate and an intruder. The ants can also receive and transmit important task, and status-related cues that help regulate foraging and other behaviors (including those concerning reproductive status). This is all facilitated by chemical compounds (hydrocarbons) that are produced within the ants' bodies, and that eventually reside on the outer layer of the ant's exoskeleton (cuticle). The frequent grooming by ants, of nestmates and themselves, helps distribute these nest/task/status-recognition labels throughout the colony.
·Greene, M.J. & D.M. Gordon. 2007. How Patrollers Set Foraging Direction in Harvester Ants. The American Naturalist, Vol. 170, No. 6, December 2007
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson.1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA, Belknap/Harvard Press
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 2009. The Superorganism. W.W. Norton & Company, New York and London
·Wagner, D.,M. Tissot, W. Cuevas, and D.M. Gordon. 2000. Harvester Ants Utilize Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Nestmate Recognition. Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 26, No. 10, 2000")
● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc74) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1219 m / 4000 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 9/23/11 7:15AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 19°C / 66°F
● 9/23/11 7:15AM sunny, breezy, air temp: 19°C / 66°F
Two Pogonomyrmex subdentatus workers near their nest entrance. The ant on the left is carrying excavated sand from the nest interior, and each worker is sweeping the other with her antennae. [scroll down for additional notes/references]
ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
It is common to see workers waving their antennae over each other as they come and go around the nest entrance. Ants from the same colony have a distinctive odor (detectable by the ants) - and with a quick sweep of the antennae, a worker can chemically discriminate between a nestmate and an intruder. The ants can also receive and transmit important task, and status-related cues that help regulate foraging and other behaviors (including those concerning reproductive status). This is all facilitated by chemical compounds (hydrocarbons) that are produced within the ants' bodies, and that eventually reside on the outer layer of the ant's exoskeleton (cuticle). The frequent grooming by ants, of nestmates and themselves, helps distribute these nest/task/status-recognition labels throughout the colony.
·Greene, M.J. & D.M. Gordon. 2007. How Patrollers Set Foraging Direction in Harvester Ants. The American Naturalist, Vol. 170, No. 6, December 2007
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson.1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA, Belknap/Harvard Press
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 2009. The Superorganism. W.W. Norton & Company, New York and London
·Wagner, D.,M. Tissot, W. Cuevas, and D.M. Gordon. 2000. Harvester Ants Utilize Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Nestmate Recognition. Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 26, No. 10, 2000
It is common to see workers waving their antennae over each other as they come and go around the nest entrance. Ants from the same colony have a distinctive odor (detectable by the ants) - and with a quick sweep of the antennae, a worker can chemically discriminate between a nestmate and an intruder. The ants can also receive and transmit important task, and status-related cues that help regulate foraging and other behaviors (including those concerning reproductive status). This is all facilitated by chemical compounds (hydrocarbons) that are produced within the ants' bodies, and that eventually reside on the outer layer of the ant's exoskeleton (cuticle). The frequent grooming by ants, of nestmates and themselves, helps distribute these nest/task/status-recognition labels throughout the colony.
·Greene, M.J. & D.M. Gordon. 2007. How Patrollers Set Foraging Direction in Harvester Ants. The American Naturalist, Vol. 170, No. 6, December 2007
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson.1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA, Belknap/Harvard Press
·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 2009. The Superorganism. W.W. Norton & Company, New York and London
·Wagner, D.,M. Tissot, W. Cuevas, and D.M. Gordon. 2000. Harvester Ants Utilize Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Nestmate Recognition. Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 26, No. 10, 2000