Interactions with Plants

From seed foraging to plant removal. Pogos interacting with the plant life around them, in North America.
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Pogonomyrmex salinus

● Wananpum Rec. Area [Kittitas Co], WA USA [el. 190 m / 623 ft] view location in Google Maps » ● 7/9/09 8:34AM sunny, air temp: 18.8°C / 66°F

In this image, a P. salinus worker can be seen carrying a sage leaf (Artemesia tridentata) back to her nest. [scroll down for additional notes/references]

ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Most of the Pogonomyrmex habitat in Oregon and Washington can be described as shrub-steppe land dominated by 'Big Sagebrush' (Artemisia tridentata) - but we don't often see P.salinus interacting with this ubiquitous plant. Only very occasionally, do we see a foraging worker transporting a leaf, or seed of A. tridentata (the leaves are usually three-lobed, but double and single-lobed leaves are not uncommon). In keeping with our observations, a study in central Oregon showed A. tridentata parts to be collected infrequently by foraging Pogonomyrmex salinus workers.

pogo pogonomyrmex pogonomyrmex salinus ants interacting with plants macro harvester ants