6 replies to this topic

[evanmancini2011]

I have a lot of pogonomyrmex occidentalis ant hills near me and was just wondering if they keep brood inside the hills?

 

Thank You!

Evan

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

I don't know about them but in Canada, Lasius like to do that on days that re not so hot, usually it is pupa and a few larva that are pupating

[AntsTx]

I have a lot of pogonomyrmex occidentalis ant hills near me and was just wondering if they keep brood inside the hills?

 

Thank You!

Evan

They generally don't keep them inside of their hills, but usually 3+ inches below the hill 

[ANTdrew]

Depends on the ant. Read the book Ant Architecture by Walter Tschinkel for an elegant description of how ants shape their nests.

[RushmoreAnts]

Agreed. According to AntWiki, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis "mounds play a role in thermoregulation of the nest." So the purpose of that big mound is to regulate the nests' internal temperature. It can be inferred that this would mean the ants would keep their pupae close to the surface, as the species loves the heat, which helps their brood develop faster, and "surfaces exposed to the sun are warmer," though that cannot be confirmed directly by that article. Why do you need the pupae in the first place? The species is hardy and fast growing, so brood boosting is not necessary. There are no parasitic Pogonomyrmex species in North America that produce workers, only workerless species such as P. anergismus and P. colei which prey on P. rugosus, and thus aren't keepable in a sustainable fashion.

 

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis - AntWiki

 

Pogonomyrmex rugosus - AntWiki

[evanmancini2011]

Agreed. According to AntWiki, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis "mounds play a role in thermoregulation of the nest." So the purpose of that big mound is to regulate the nests' internal temperature. It can be inferred that this would mean the ants would keep their pupae close to the surface, as the species loves the heat, which helps their brood develop faster, and "surfaces exposed to the sun are warmer," though that cannot be confirmed directly by that article. Why do you need the pupae in the first place? The species is hardy and fast growing, so brood boosting is not necessary. There are no parasitic Pogonomyrmex species in North America that produce workers, only workerless species such as P. anergismus and P. colei which prey on P. rugosus, and thus aren't keepable in a sustainable fashion.

 

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis - AntWiki

 

Pogonomyrmex rugosus - AntWiki

Don't worry I was not planning on brood busting my pogonomyrmex occidentalis ant colony I was just wondering what stuff do they keep in the big hills!

Thank you!

[RushmoreAnts]

In that case, as previously mentioned, they're architecturally designed to be natural furnaces and A/C Units. Quite amazing how complex ant societies are, which is why they interest me above all invertebrates.