Miscellaneous Behaviors

Although members of the genus Pogonomyrmex are ground-dwelling ants, they can often be seen climbing, and foraging on a wide range of plant species. This P. salinus worker is exploring a fiddle-neck plant (Amsinckia sp.) in central Oregon. In addition to their well known habit of collecting seeds (and other solid plant parts), they are also known to occasionally gather nectar and other sugary substances . We have observed P. salinus workers at this location (and others) apparently gleaning some sort of substance from this plant species, though this particular ant did not appear to find anything. In this image, the many tiny hairs, or setae, on the ant's body are clearly illuminated - giving her a 'fuzzy' appearance. The beard-like psammophore is also visible.