Pogonomyrmex desertorum

Images of Pogonomyrmex desertorum - the desert harvester, at Big Bend N.P., TX USA.
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<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>
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<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>
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● Castolon [Loc 41] Big Bend N.P., TX USA [el. 660 m / 2164 ft] view location in Google Maps » ● 3/06/10 10:46AM sun/haze, air temp: 19°C / 66°F

[IMAGE 2 of 2] Another Pogonomyrmex desertorum 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 Pogonomyrmex rugosus workers. These P. desertorum workers were extremely docile, and did seem to care about our presence at all. The ant's psammophore is clearly visible from this angle. [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.

macro pogonomyrmex pogonomyrmex desertorum ants

Pogonomyrmex desertorum

Roberta