24 replies to this topic

[Pulliamj]

1. Location of collection: Weatherford, Texas
2. Date of collection: 08/26/15
3. Habitat of collection: sandy soil
4. Length (from head to gaster): 13-14mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Red
6. Distinguishing characteristics: petiole seems longer than a regular red harvester
7. Anything else distinctive: basic size of a red harvester. Gaster doesn't seem too big.
8. Nest description: small founding chamber no eggs. Actively coming in and out when caught.

Edited by Pulliamj, August 26 2015 - 5:15 PM.

[Alza]

Pogonomyrmex barbatus, and if its building its founding chamber, that usually means that it mated.

[Pulliamj]

I tried looking really carefully but didn't see any eggs. It's body was sticking slightly out of its chamber. Maybe I got really lucky and she started digging it today.

Also when would I provide seeds?

Edited by Pulliamj, August 26 2015 - 6:12 PM.

[AntsTexas]

Pogonomyrmex barbatus, and if its building its founding chamber, that usually means that it mated.

nailed it!! 

[Pulliamj]

Thanks guys. When would I provide seeds after the first workers?

[AntsTexas]

Thanks guys. When would I provide seeds after the first workers?

i also would like to know too....

[William. T]

Get the first workers, and then provide seeds. It seems Pogonomyrmex like Niger seeds.

[Crystals]

Nice catch.  I would love to catch a Pogonomyrmex one day.

 

I keep hoping an extremely powerful wind will one day blow one of these from the southern border of Alberta 750km north to my location. 

I think I have better chances while waiting for a friend down there to catch one for me.

[William. T]

Nice catch.  I would love to catch a Pogonomyrmex one day.

 

I keep hoping an extremely powerful wind will one day blow one of these from the southern border of Alberta 750km north to my location. 

I think I have better chances while waiting for a friend down there to catch one for me.

I really love the red complexion. 

[Subverted]

Is P. barbatus semiclaustral? If so it would probably need seeds once the eggs turn to larva like P. californicus seem to.

[William. T]

I read that P. Barbatus is fully claustral.

[Alza]

Either way, feed your queen three kentucky blue grass seed's. fully claustral queens won't hunt for food, but if its right in front of them, they will not pass up an opportunity to eat. Besides, its best to feed fully claustral queens. Also, make sure to give her a dab of honey.

[Pulliamj]

Thanks again hope she lays eggs. I have wanted one of these since I was a kid. I had the uncle Milton ant farm with no Queen of course. I love watching them forage in the wild.

[Works4TheGood]

Look at the jaws on that miniature monster! I hope our Pennsylvania ants never get into a fight with your Texas ants! We seem to have wimpy harmless ants out here, but that's a good thing for most everyone else out here except me. Nice pics by the way!

[William. T]

Look at the jaws on that miniature monster! I hope our Pennsylvania ants never get into a fight with your Texas ants! We seem to have wimpy harmless ants out here, but that's a good thing for most everyone else out here except me. Nice pics by the way!

Of course, the Texans have all the S. Invicta. Of course they win.

[LC3]

 

Look at the jaws on that miniature monster! I hope our Pennsylvania ants never get into a fight with your Texas ants! We seem to have wimpy harmless ants out here, but that's a good thing for most everyone else out here except me. Nice pics by the way!

Of course, the Texans have all the S. Invicta. Of course they win.

 

We will see if Texas' S.invicta can handle it.

Bring in the ultimate invasive ant... Anoplolepis gracilipes

[NightsWebs]

I agree keep the blue grass seeds available and maybe a small piece of Pecan Sandy (dry cookie) and I just found out apparently my Pogonomyrmex love yes love orange Gatorade Crazy!

[Anhzor]

Both my pogonomyrmex californicus and rugosus will eagerly accept food I give them. But I have had more success giving them insect after their brood hatch, than seeds.

Edited by Anhzor, August 27 2015 - 11:22 PM.

[Pulliamj]

What kind of setups do you guys use with these? In the wild they have huge colonies that are very deep. They forage like 50 ft from the nest.

[William. T]

What kind of setups do you guys use with these? In the wild they have huge colonies that are very deep. They forage like 50 ft from the nest.

 A test tube is good enough. Even though their colonies are deep, you can still keep them in conventional nests.