Volume 41, Number 1, January 1995:
Collection and Maintenance of Ants
and
Studying Ants: A Beginning
by Mark B. DuBois

Text-only version

ISSUE HOME PAGE

ABOUT THIS ISSUE
- about KSN
- about the author

IN THIS ISSUE
- introduction
- collection
- maintenance, observation ant farm
- maintenance, classroom use
- project observations
- literature cited
- books for children on ants

Studying Ants: A Beginning
by Mark B. DuBois
- males, queens and worker ants
- establishing a colony
- caring for young
- growth of an ant colony
- ant senses
- gardening ants
- harvester ants
- parasitic ants
- acrobat ants
- army ants
- questions, activities and investigations with ants
- further reading

SLIDESHOW
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Collection and Maintenance of Ants to Use for Teaching
by Roger D. Akre, Laurel D. Hansen, and Elizabeth A. Myhre

and

Studying Ants: A Beginning
by Mark B. DuBois

HARVESTER ANTS

I have fond memories traversing the plains of western Kansas and finding the conical, pebble-covered mounds of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis. Six species of harvester ants had been recorded from Kansas and I encountered five during my studies. These ants harvest ripe seeds from the ground and nearby plants, then husk and store them for use in times of scarcity. They will eat dead insects as well. These supplies sustain the ants through the colder months. These ants posses a "beard" of long hairs (called a psammophore) located on the underside of the head. This structure enables an ant to carry a larger amount of dry soil than she would be able to carry without it. Most species of harvester ants are found in western and southern states; one is found as far east as Florida.

Figure 3. Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, head, full face view.

Density of harvester ant nests appears higher near human disturbances such as roadways and railroads. Perhaps water collects alongside and softens the soil. Many nests are visible because most of the species also clear the vegetation surrounding their nest. Piece by piece, they cut them up with powerful mandibles. Harvester ants can be of economic importance when they harvest seeds from cultivated crops. They also damage range lands when nests are abundant.

Figure 4. Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, head, alitrunk, petiole, and postpetiole, lateral view. Legs removed.

Female harvester ants have a potent sting. With a large investment in harvesting seeds and storing them, they readily defend their nests. Some small mammals try to invade these larders in search of seeds. I have experienced numerous stings from these ants; the localized swelling and redness is followed by a throbbing pain which lasts up to several hours. The skin around the sting becomes moist. If someone is hypersensitive to ant venom, they may go into anaphylactic shock which requires prompt medical attention.