Pogonomyrmex californicus
Images of Pogonomyrmex californicus
- the California harvester at various locations in Nevada, and California, USA.
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![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Fernley [Lyon Co], NV USA [el. 1271 m / 4171 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048afd64f5e81bc4956&ll=39.614152,-119.262085&spn=1.481079,2.334595&z=8&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a>
<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● 6/23/10 6:27AM partly cloudy, air temp: 17°C / 62°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 2 of 2] A beautiful <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker pauses briefly after emerging from her nest (cropped view).
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-PxQvJcZ/1/98621fa1/L/4406_10_7Dc-L.jpg)
● Fernley [Lyon Co], NV USA [el. 1271 m / 4171 ft] view location in Google Maps » ● 6/23/10 6:27AM partly cloudy, air temp: 17°C / 62°F
[IMAGE 2 of 2] A beautiful Pogonomyrmex californicus worker pauses briefly after emerging from her nest (cropped view).
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Fernley [Lyon Co], NV USA [el. 1271 m / 4171 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048afd64f5e81bc4956&ll=39.614152,-119.262085&spn=1.481079,2.334595&z=8&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a>
<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● 6/23/10 6:27AM partly cloudy, air temp: 17°C / 62°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 1 of 2] A beautiful <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker pauses briefly after emerging from her nest.
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-RbGSqNS/1/59c0d3cc/Ti/4406_10_7Df-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Fernley [Lyon Co], NV USA [el. 1271 m / 4171 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048afd64f5e81bc4956&ll=39.614152,-119.262085&spn=1.481079,2.334595&z=8&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a>
<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● 6/23/10 6:27AM partly cloudy, air temp: 17°C / 62°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 2 of 2] A beautiful <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker pauses briefly after emerging from her nest (cropped view).
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-PxQvJcZ/1/98621fa1/Ti/4406_10_7Dc-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Fernley [Lyon Co], NV USA [el. 1271 m / 4171 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048afd64f5e81bc4956&ll=39.614152,-119.262085&spn=1.481079,2.334595&z=8&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a>
<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● 6/23/10 6:19AM partly cloudy, air temp: 17°C / 62°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">Finding a piece of plant matter, and picking it up with her <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_mandiblesInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">mandibles</span></a> - this <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker heads back to the nest.
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-s5Wqpf2/1/badb69a9/Ti/4398_10_7Dc-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Fernley [Lyon Co], NV USA [el. 1271 m / 4171 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048afd64f5e81bc4956&ll=39.614152,-119.262085&spn=1.481079,2.334595&z=8&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a>
<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● 6/23/10 6:36AM partly cloudy, air temp: 18°C / 64°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">A small <em>Dorymyrmex sp.</em> nest was located approximately 23 cm / 9 inches from the the nest of the <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker seen here. Whenever a Pogo worker wandered near the smaller ants' nest, she would be harassed, and chased away. The Pogos were not observed to fight back - they simply ran a few inches away, and continued foraging. The <em>Dorymyrmex</em> workers were mostly performing maintenance on their nest, at the time these images were captured.
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-dCxtMXN/0/c302e47a/Ti/4429_10_7Dc-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Fernley [Lyon Co], NV USA [el. 1271 m / 4171 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048afd64f5e81bc4956&ll=39.614152,-119.262085&spn=1.481079,2.334595&z=8&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a>
<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● 6/23/10 6:36AM partly cloudy, air temp: 17°C / 62°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">While this looks like a fearsome defensive display, it is not. This <em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em> worker has just dropped a load of coarse sand she had carried up from the subterranean depths of the nest. This kind of activity is ongoing, as the ants excavate new tunnels and galleries, and repair cave-ins. <span class ="footnoteTag">[scroll down for additional notes/references]</span></div>
<div class="captionRefFootnote">ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
<em>Many Pogo nests sport a prominent <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_gravelInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">gravel-covered</span></a> mound, cone, or crater which contains a small network of galleries and tunnels. In some cases, this mound feature is not present, and the external nest structure consists simply of entrance holes in the ground, often surrounded by a gravel 'disc', and located within an area cleared of vegetation.
However, like the proverbial 'tip of the iceberg', the above-ground portion of a Pogo nest represents only a tiny fraction of the whole colony - in terms of ant population, and in the physical structure and extent of the nest itself.
The subterranean portions of Pogonomyrmex nests usually contain one or more large (approximately vertical) tunnels - and branching off from these, many 'side burrows' and chambers. These offshoots are more numerous (and larger) nearer the surface, and dwindle in frequency and size, as depth increases. These chambers function as granaries, nurseries, general quarters, and sometimes refuse dumps.
<a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PogonomyrmexInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">Pogonomyrmex</span></a> nests can reach considerable depths. Nests of <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PrugosusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">P. rugosus</span></a> (the rough harvester) have been shown to extend 4 m / 13 ft into the ground, and those of <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PoccidentalisInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">P.occidentalis</span></a> have been recorded to reach depths of 3 m / 10 ft.
Along with distinct variations among different Pogo species, there are many variables that affect the proportions of a particular colony's nest. It's likely that most nests are somewhat shallower than the figures given above.
·MacKay, W.P. 1981. A Comparison of Nest Phenologies of Three Species of Pogonomyrmex Harvester Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Psyche, Vol. 88, No. 1-2, 1981
·Taber, S.W. 1998. The World of the Harvester Ants. College Station, TX, Texas A&M University Press.
·Wheeler, W.M. 1910. Ants: Their Structure, Development and Behavior. New York, Columbia University Press
<em>
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-sZ4dqN5/0/d67b725c/Ti/4426_10_7Dc-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Fernely [Lyon Co], NV USA [el. 1271 m / 4171 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048afd64f5e81bc4956&ll=39.614152,-119.262085&spn=1.481079,2.334595&z=8&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a>
<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● 6/23/10 6:17AM partly cloudy, air temp: 17°C / 62°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">Another <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>P.californicus</em></span></a> worker <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_feedingInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">foraging</span></a>near her nest, in northern Nevada, USA. If you click on this image to make it larger, the <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_psammophoreInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">psammophore</span></a> is clearly visible.
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-FLCVqKk/0/be917124/Ti/4393_10_7Dc-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo">● Pyramid Lake Indian Res. (Paiute), NV USA [el. 1202 m / 3945 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048ab88a421ad2e2b90&ll=39.930801,-119.388428&spn=0.737146,1.167297&z=9&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 6/22/10 9:38AM sunny, air temp: 22°C / 72°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 1 of 3] The ability of <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PogonomyrmexInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomymrex</em></span></a> ants to carry excavated sand in their <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_psammophoreInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">psammophores</span></a> is well known and documented. But, despite a few vague references on the Web <span class="footnoteTag">[1]</span>, we have not yet found any descriptions of these ants using this structure to gather and/or transport seeds in the wild, under natural conditions <span class="footnoteTag">[2]</span> (nor have we observed this behavior ourselves, prior to 6/22/10).<br>
These <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> workers were picking up (and transporting) multiple <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_dsophia_seedInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">seeds of <em>Descurainia sophia </em></span></a> (a.k.a. flixweed). The nest of these ants was located in a sandy area, under a living <em>Salsola</em> (tumbleweed) plant - surrounded by many other plants including (and most abundantly) <em>Descurainia sophia</em>.<br>
The multiple-seed-gathering behavior was taking place approx. 60 cm / 2 feet away from the nest entrance - in an area strewn with the tiny orange <em>D. sophia</em> seeds. It was probably the high density of seeds (estimated to be 0.3 - 0.5 per cm²), along with their small size and proximity to the nest, that made this unusual type of foraging possible <span class="footnoteTag">[2]</span>. Workers returning from other areas, and from greater distances, carried only single items (as is usual for these ants). Individual workers were observed to successfully carry three of these seeds at a time, usually with one in the psammophore, and two 'stacked' in the <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_mandiblesInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">mandibles</span></a> (one worker was seen to have two seeds, side by side, in the psammophore). As can be seen in these images, the Pogos sometimes used the tips of their antennae to maneuver the seeds into position, before attempting to pick them up. Once fully loaded, they headed straight for the nest. There were many empty seedpods in the area where the seeds were being gathered, and it is possible that the ants had broken open the pods earlier and liberated the seeds - but it is just as likely that the seeds fell naturally. One worker was seen manipulating a seedpod, but it was already empty. <span class ="footnoteTag">[scroll down for additional notes/references]</span>
</div>
<div class="captionRefFootnote">ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
<em>
[1] Most notably, the Wikipedia article on Pogonomyrmex states "The psammophore are (sic) used for gathering small seeds, helping to increase the efficiency of transportation of fine sand and pebbles during nest construction, or to carry eggs."
[2] Pogonomyrmex ants have been known to transport multiple food items (using the psammophore and mandibles) when presented with bait piles consisting of cracked wheat, during controlled experiments. These bait piles offered the ants very small particles, at higher densities than would be found under natural conditions. During these experiments, <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PoccidentalisInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>P.occidentalis</em></span></a> workers did not start using their psammophores until seed densities exceeded 0.5 cm² As far as the use of psammophores by foragers under natural conditions, Porter & Jorgensen state, "Apparently, this behavior does not occur or it is very uncommon."
·Porter, S.D., and C.D. Jorgensen. 1990. Psammophores: Do Harvester Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Use These Pouches to Transport Seeds? Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 63(1) 138 -149
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-mMDSJFc/0/bd66d09d/Ti/4347_10_7Dc-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Pyramid Lake Indian Res. (Paiute), NV USA [el. 1202 m / 3945 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048ab88a421ad2e2b90&ll=39.930801,-119.388428&spn=0.737146,1.167297&z=9&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 6/22/10 9:45AM sunny, air temp: 22°C / 72°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 2 of 3] The ability of <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PogonomyrmexInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomymrex</em></span></a> ants to carry excavated sand in their <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_psammophoreInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">psammophores</span></a> is well known and documented. But, despite a few vague references on the Web <span class="footnoteTag">[1]</span>, we have not yet found any descriptions of these ants using this structure to gather and/or transport seeds in the wild, under natural conditions <span class="footnoteTag">[2]</span> (nor have we observed this behavior ourselves, prior to 6/22/10).<br>
These <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> workers were picking up (and transporting) multiple <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_dsophia_seedInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">seeds of <em>Descurainia sophia </em></span></a> (a.k.a. flixweed). The nest of these ants was located in a sandy area, under a living <em>Salsola</em> (tumbleweed) plant - surrounded by many other plants including (and most abundantly) <em>Descurainia sophia</em>.<br>
The multiple-seed-gathering behavior was taking place approx. 60 cm / 2 feet away from the nest entrance - in an area strewn with the tiny orange <em>D. sophia</em> seeds. It was probably the high density of seeds (estimated to be 0.3 - 0.5 per cm²), along with their small size and proximity to the nest, that made this unusual type of foraging possible <span class="footnoteTag">[2]</span>. Workers returning from other areas, and from greater distances, carried only single items (as is usual for these ants). Individual workers were observed to successfully carry three of these seeds at a time, usually with one in the psammophore, and two 'stacked' in the <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_mandiblesInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">mandibles</span></a> (one worker was seen to have two seeds, side by side, in the psammophore). As can be seen in these images, the Pogos sometimes used the tips of their antennae to maneuver the seeds into position, before attempting to pick them up. Once fully loaded, they headed straight for the nest. There were many empty seedpods in the area where the seeds were being gathered, and it is possible that the ants had broken open the pods earlier and liberated the seeds - but it is just as likely that the seeds fell naturally. One worker was seen manipulating a seedpod, but it was already empty. <span class ="footnoteTag">[scroll down for additional notes/references]</span>
</div>
<div class="captionRefFootnote">ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
<em>
[1] Most notably, the Wikipedia article on Pogonomyrmex states "The psammophore are (sic) used for gathering small seeds, helping to increase the efficiency of transportation of fine sand and pebbles during nest construction, or to carry eggs."
[2] Pogonomyrmex ants have been known to transport multiple food items (using the psammophore and mandibles) when presented with bait piles consisting of cracked wheat, during controlled experiments. These bait piles offered the ants very small particles, at higher densities than would be found under natural conditions. During these experiments, <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PoccidentalisInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>P.occidentalis</em></span></a> workers did not start using their psammophores until seed densities exceeded 0.5 cm² As far as the use of psammophores by foragers under natural conditions, Porter & Jorgensen state, "Apparently, this behavior does not occur or it is very uncommon."
·Porter, S.D., and C.D. Jorgensen. 1990. Psammophores: Do Harvester Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Use These Pouches to Transport Seeds? Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 63(1) 138 -149
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-KPsVSR5/1/8c744717/Ti/4365_10_7Dc-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Pyramid Lake Indian Res. (Paiute), NV USA [el. 1202 m / 3945 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048ab88a421ad2e2b90&ll=39.930801,-119.388428&spn=0.737146,1.167297&z=9&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 6/22/10 9:46AM sunny, air temp: 22°C / 72°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 3 of 3] The ability of <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PogonomyrmexInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomymrex</em></span></a> ants to carry excavated sand in their <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_psammophoreInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">psammophores</span></a> is well known and documented. But, despite a few vague references on the Web <span class="footnoteTag">[1]</span>, we have not yet found any descriptions of these ants using this structure to gather and/or transport seeds in the wild, under natural conditions <span class="footnoteTag">[2]</span> (nor have we observed this behavior ourselves, prior to 6/22/10).<br>
These <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> workers were picking up (and transporting) multiple <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_dsophia_seedInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">seeds of <em>Descurainia sophia </em></span></a> (a.k.a. flixweed). The nest of these ants was located in a sandy area, under a living <em>Salsola</em> (tumbleweed) plant - surrounded by many other plants including (and most abundantly) <em>Descurainia sophia</em>.<br>
The multiple-seed-gathering behavior was taking place approx. 60 cm / 2 feet away from the nest entrance - in an area strewn with the tiny orange <em>D. sophia</em> seeds. It was probably the high density of seeds (estimated to be 0.3 - 0.5 per cm²), along with their small size and proximity to the nest, that made this unusual type of foraging possible <span class="footnoteTag">[2]</span>. Workers returning from other areas, and from greater distances, carried only single items (as is usual for these ants). Individual workers were observed to successfully carry three of these seeds at a time, usually with one in the psammophore, and two 'stacked' in the <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_mandiblesInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">mandibles</span></a> (one worker was seen to have two seeds, side by side, in the psammophore). As can be seen in these images, the Pogos sometimes used the tips of their antennae to maneuver the seeds into position, before attempting to pick them up. Once fully loaded, they headed straight for the nest. There were many empty seedpods in the area where the seeds were being gathered, and it is possible that the ants had broken open the pods earlier and liberated the seeds - but it is just as likely that the seeds fell naturally. One worker was seen manipulating a seedpod, but it was already empty. <span class ="footnoteTag">[scroll down for additional notes/references]</span>
</div>
<div class="captionRefFootnote">ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
<em>
[1] Most notably, the Wikipedia article on Pogonomyrmex states "The psammophore are (sic) used for gathering small seeds, helping to increase the efficiency of transportation of fine sand and pebbles during nest construction, or to carry eggs."
[2] Pogonomyrmex ants have been known to transport multiple food items (using the psammophore and mandibles) when presented with bait piles consisting of cracked wheat, during controlled experiments. These bait piles offered the ants very small particles, at higher densities than would be found under natural conditions. During these experiments, <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PoccidentalisInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>P.occidentalis</em></span></a> workers did not start using their psammophores until seed densities exceeded 0.5 cm² As far as the use of psammophores by foragers under natural conditions, Porter & Jorgensen state, "Apparently, this behavior does not occur or it is very uncommon."
·Porter, S.D., and C.D. Jorgensen. 1990. Psammophores: Do Harvester Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Use These Pouches to Transport Seeds? Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 63(1) 138 -149
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-hg9ZwJn/1/ed5cb6b5/Ti/4367_10_7Dc-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Sea Port Ave, Salton City, CA USA [el. -60 m / -200 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200018642405942868939.0004a22650795d13042c6&ll=33.3221,-115.936583&spn=0,0&t=h&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a></span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 4/09/10 9:53AM sunny, air temp: 16°C / 60°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 1 of 2] On the shores of the Salton Sea in southern California, a <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker has been captured by a theridiid spider (spider ID coming soon). This took place about 60 cm / 2 ft from the <em>P. californicus</em> nest.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-3dw2pXp/1/42934865/Ti/7860_11_7D-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Sea Port Ave, Salton City, CA USA [el. -60 m / -200 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200018642405942868939.0004a22650795d13042c6&ll=33.3221,-115.936583&spn=0,0&t=h&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a></span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 4/09/10 9:53AM sunny, air temp: 16°C / 60°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 2 of 2] On the shores of the Salton Sea in southern California, a <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker has been captured by a theridiid spider (spider ID coming soon). This took place about 60 cm / 2 ft from the <em>P. californicus</em> nest.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-37964Fj/1/1f7c2cec/Ti/7863_11_7D-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Sea Port Ave, Salton City, CA USA [el. -60 m / -200 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200018642405942868939.0004a22650795d13042c6&ll=33.3221,-115.936583&spn=0,0&t=h&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a></span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 4/09/10 9:30AM sunny, air temp: 14°C / 58°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 1 of 2] A native fire ant worker (<em>Solenopsis xyloni</em>) clings to the leg of a <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker. While several such battles were taking place, a group of fire ants were hastily blocking the entrance to their nest, possibly in response to a raid by the larger Pogos. The <em>S. xyloni</em> and <em>P. californicus</em> nests were about 8 feet apart. Note that the fire ant (smaller ant in images) has been bitten in half, but still continues to struggle.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-xJ5hG5f/1/c5a28d29/Ti/7826_11_7D-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Sea Port Ave, Salton City, CA USA [el. -60 m / -200 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200018642405942868939.0004a22650795d13042c6&ll=33.3221,-115.936583&spn=0,0&t=h&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a></span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 4/09/10 9:32AM sunny, air temp: 14°C / 58°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 2 of 2] A native fire ant worker (<em>Solenopsis xyloni</em>) clings to the leg of a <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker. While several such battles were taking place, a group of fire ants were hastily blocking the entrance to their nest, possibly in response to a raid by the larger Pogos. The <em>S. xyloni</em> and <em>P. californicus</em> nests were about 8 feet apart. Note that the fire ant (smaller ant in images) has been bitten in half, but still continues to struggle.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-4w3WcZW/2/98ec8ba3/Ti/7834_11_7D-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Split Mountain area, Anza-Borrego Desert S.P., CA USA [el. 119 m / 390 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=200018642405942868939.0004a228686b89834b028&ll=33.010967,-116.111755&spn=0.806113,1.167297&z=9&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 4/06/10 10:19AM sunny, air temp: 27°C / 81°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 1 of 2] <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> workers just outside the entrance to their nest in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA USA.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-dMNpc4m/2/c72d9031/Ti/7509_11_7D-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Split Mountain area, Anza-Borrego Desert S.P., CA USA [el. 119 m / 390 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=200018642405942868939.0004a228686b89834b028&ll=33.010967,-116.111755&spn=0.806113,1.167297&z=9&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 4/06/10 10:20AM sunny, air temp: 27°C / 81°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 2 of 2] <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> workers just outside the entrance to their nest in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA USA.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-QHc73CK/2/882864ca/Ti/7510_11_7D-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Split Mountain area, Anza-Borrego Desert S.P., CA USA [el. 119 m / 390 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=200018642405942868939.0004a228686b89834b028&ll=33.010967,-116.111755&spn=0.806113,1.167297&z=9&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 4/06/10 10:35AM sunny, air temp: 27°C / 81°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 1 of 2] A beautiful bi-colored <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker drags a relatively large (unidentified) object toward her nest. Along with seeds, these harvester ants will exploit a wide variety of <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_feedingInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">potential food sources</span></a>.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-NnHhJj7/2/1391fd59/Ti/7516_11_7D-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Split Mountain area, Anza-Borrego Desert S.P., CA USA [el. 119 m / 390 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=200018642405942868939.0004a228686b89834b028&ll=33.010967,-116.111755&spn=0.806113,1.167297&z=9&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 4/06/10 10:35AM sunny, air temp: 27°C / 81°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 2 of 2] A beautiful bi-colored <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker drags a relatively large (unidentified) object toward her nest. Along with seeds, these harvester ants will exploit a wide variety of <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_feedingInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">potential food sources</span></a>.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-GZwKs2s/3/7021425b/Ti/7520_11_7D-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Sea Port Ave, Salton City, CA USA [el. -60 m / -200 ftt]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200018642405942868939.0004a22650795d13042c6&ll=33.3221,-115.936583&spn=0,0&t=h&source=embed"><span class="mapLink">view location in Google Maps »</span></a></span></a><span class="captionImageInfo">
● 4/07/10 8:27AM sunny, air temp: 21°C / 70°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">Guarding the nest entrance, this <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>Pogonomyrmex californicus</em></span></a> worker menaces the photographer with open mandibles. Note the basket-like <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_psammophoreInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">psammophore</span></a>, clearly visible in this image.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-6j8f47r/2/dc5c07d3/Ti/7578_11_7D-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&vpsrc=6&ctz=480&ie=UTF8&msa=0&t=h&msid=200018642405942868939.0004b1dd3561205b38c2c&ll=39.459523,-119.065018&spn=0.092775,0.145912&z=12&source=embed"><span class="mapLink"> view location in Google Maps »</span></a>
<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● 9/21/11 12:34PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 1 of 6] This series of images depicts <em>Pogonomyrmex subdentatus</em>, and <em>P. californicus</em> workers fighting. Often, when foraging <em>Pogonomyrmex</em> 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 <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>P. californicus</em></span></a>, and the smaller, darker red ant is <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PsubdentatusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>P. subdentatus</em></span></a>. 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 <em>Pogonomyrmex</em> sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-FjZxkDC/1/b0443598/Ti/8215_11_7D-Ti.jpg)
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Lahontan S.R.A. (loc73) [Churchill Co], NV USA [el. 1223 m / 4011 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&vpsrc=6&ctz=480&ie=UTF8&msa=0&t=h&msid=200018642405942868939.0004b1dd3561205b38c2c&ll=39.459523,-119.065018&spn=0.092775,0.145912&z=12&source=embed"><span class="mapLink"> view location in Google Maps »</span></a>
<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● 9/21/11 12:34PM sunny, air temp: 29°C / 84°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 2 of 6] This series of images depicts <em>Pogonomyrmex subdentatus</em>, and <em>P. californicus</em> workers fighting. Often, when foraging <em>Pogonomyrmex</em> 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 <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PcalifornicusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>P. californicus</em></span></a>, and the smaller, darker red ant is <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PsubdentatusInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><em>P. subdentatus</em></span></a>. 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 <em>Pogonomyrmex</em> sp. workers fight briefly, and then separate unharmed.</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-californicus/i-BMkgqJZ/1/e34775f8/Ti/8215_11_7Dc-Ti.jpg)
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