I've found two different workers in the desert a few miles outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Both of these species were everywhere all over the ground. It was raining at the time and neither species seemed to be bothered by it.
This species is very large, with extremely long legs. It's back legs are probably as long as it's entire body, and it almost looks like a spider.
I don't have very many pictures of the second species. This one was moving around too much so I threw her in the freezer for a few minutes but unfortunately that was too much and she died. She curled up so I can't seem to stretch her back out to get any good pictures of her. I did get a few pictures of her nest though.
The large hole is probably about the size of my fist.
These ants all looked like Pheidole majors. The had very large square shaped heads.
Like I said, unfortunately I froze both ants so I can't get an accurate measurement but I'd say both ants are 8mm to 12mm or so. Both species are completely black.
No queens unfortunately, but the rain pretty much started when we got there and it was already close to sundown so I wasn't expecting much. It's suppose to rain most of the night so I'm hoping there will be some tomorrow.
Edited by Herdo, July 18 2015 - 6:38 PM.
