Defense, Aggression, and Pogos as Prey
Wrestling and stinging
ants, lunch for spiders, and territorial wars. Pogonomyrmex spp.
ants at various locations in North America.
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 page/image controls below to see them all!***
Read MoreScroll 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 page/image controls below to see them all!***
Pogonomyrmex desertorum
● Castolon [Loc 41] Big Bend N.P., TX USA [el. 660 m / 2164 ft] view location in Google Maps » ● 3/06/10 10:45AM sun/haze, air temp: 18°C / 66°F
Another Pogonomyrmex desertorum worker frozen in a defensive posture, with mandibles (jaws) agape. We observed individuals remaining motionless like this for up to 10 minutes. As mentioned earlier, this heightened state of alert was due to intruding Pogonomyrmex rugosus workers. These P. desertorum workers were extremely docile, and did seem to be concerned at all with our presence. [scroll down for additional notes/references]
ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
The integument (outer body covering) of these P. desertorum workers was quite translucent. When back-lit by the sun (as can be seen in some of these images), these ants glowed with the most beautiful orange-red color. In some cases, x-ray-like hints of their internal anatomy could be seen as well.
