Interactions with Plants

This Pogonomyrmex salinus nest is located on a slope, with a vertically oriented cave-like entrance. On this day, a steady flow of workers streamed from the entrance, carrying assorted plant matter (including colorful flower fragments) to be discarded a short distance away. All of the ants were dust-covered, and moving so quickly, that it was very difficult to image them. The presence of flower petals in the nest may be explained, at least partially, by the fact that these ants collect balsamroot (Balmorhiza sp) seeds - often with a large yellow petal (ray) attached. Presumably, after the seed is consumed, the ray is discarded outside the nest, in the midden. Also, Pogonomyrmex ants have been observed to bring small flowers to the nest and arrange them around the larvae and pupae (brood), possibly as a way of increasing humidity in the brood chamber - these flowers are later discarded outside of the nest [1]. [scroll down for additional notes/references]