Pogonomyrmex desertorum
Images of Pogonomyrmex desertorum
- the desert harvester, at Big Bend N.P., TX USA.
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Pogonomyrmex desertorum
● Castolon [Loc 41] Big Bend N.P., TX USA [el. 660 m / 2164 ft] view location in Google Maps » ● 3/06/10 10:27AM sun/haze, air temp: 18°C / 64°F
Though too early in the season for new seeds to be available (at this location), these Pogonomyrmex desertorum workers could be seen inspecting, and even transporting dry bits of plant matter. We did not observe any of this material being taken into the nest, however. [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.
![<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● Castolon [Loc 41] Big Bend N.P., TX USA [el. 660 m / 2164 ft]</span> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=100103460138962878270.00048384c67ef9deb4b45&ll=29.13417,-103.513355&spn=0.05248,0.072956&z=13&source=embed"><span class="mapLink"> view location in Google Maps »<span></span></span></a>
<span class="captionImageInfo"> ● 3/06/10 10:46AM sun/haze, air temp: 19°C / 66°F</span>
<div class="captionImageMain">[IMAGE 2 of 2] Another <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_PdesertorumInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm"><i>Pogonomyrmex desertorum</i></span></a> 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 <i>Pogonomyrmex rugosus</i> workers. These <i>P. desertorum</i> workers were extremely docile, and did seem to care about our presence at all. The ant's <a href="http://www.davidlouisquinn.com/pogolumina_psammophoreInfo.htm"><span class="glossLinkSm">psammophore </span></a> is clearly visible from this angle. <span class="footnoteTag">[scroll down for additional notes/references]</span>
</div>
<div class="captionRefFootnote">ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
<i>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.</i>
</div>](https://photos.smugmug.com/NorthAmericanPogosbySpecies/Pogonomyrmex-desertorum-desert/i-Ct82HwN/8/5168e320/Ti/IMG_2270_10_7Dc-Ti.jpg)
