Harvester Ant - Revision history

Showard8 at 03:28, 23 April 2023

2023-04-23T03:28:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:28, 22 April 2023
Line 45:		Line 45:
	== Habitat and Range ==		== Habitat and Range ==

	Pogonomyrmex is native to North, Central, and South America. <sup>[5]</sup> They construct their nests in the [[soil]], typically in dry and sandy areas that are fully exposed to the sun. <sup>[4]</sup> They can be 1-10 m in diameter with tunnels that extend down to 5 m or more. <sup>[4]</sup> The nests can range from having no mound to having a huge mound; the latter tends to be more common. The entrances to the nests are often marked in a special way; by a crater or cone, a pile of stones, or a covering of [[gravel]]. <sup>[5]</sup> In addition, some species clear away all plants and vegetation that surround the outside area of the nest. <sup>[5]</sup>		''Pogonomyrmex'' is native to North, Central, and South America. <sup>[5]</sup> They construct their nests in the [[soil]], typically in dry and sandy areas that are fully exposed to the sun. <sup>[4]</sup> They can be 1-10 m in diameter with tunnels that extend down to 5 m or more. <sup>[4]</sup> The nests can range from having no mound to having a huge mound; the latter tends to be more common. The entrances to the nests are often marked in a special way; by a crater or cone, a pile of stones, or a covering of [[gravel]]. <sup>[5]</sup> In addition, some species clear away all plants and vegetation that surround the outside area of the nest. <sup>[5]</sup>

	== Diet and Behavior ==		== Diet and Behavior ==
Line 52:		Line 52:


	Another behavior of the harvester ant is its defense mechanism; stinging. When threatened, many species of Pogonomyrmex become violent and persistently sting the threat. The effects of the sting can be very painful and cause swelling and inflammation which can last several hours. Depending on one's sensitivity to the venom or the severity of the stings, medical attention may be needed. <sup>[5]</sup> For the size of a harvester ant, their sting is quite painful and potent. An additional distinctive behavior of the ant is that they move much slower than other similar species, such as fire ants. <sup>[4]</sup>		Another behavior of the harvester ant is its defense mechanism; stinging. When threatened, many species of ''Pogonomyrmex'' become violent and persistently sting the threat. The effects of the sting can be very painful and cause swelling and inflammation which can last several hours. Depending on one's sensitivity to the venom or the severity of the stings, medical attention may be needed. <sup>[5]</sup> For the size of a harvester ant, their sting is quite painful and potent. An additional distinctive behavior of the ant is that they move much slower than other similar species, such as fire ants. <sup>[4]</sup>

	== Life Cycle ==		== Life Cycle ==

Showard8 at 03:15, 23 April 2023

2023-04-23T03:15:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:15, 22 April 2023
Line 27:		Line 27:

	== Anatomy ==		== Anatomy ==
			[[File:HTA.png\|250px\|thumb\|left\|Head, thorax, and abdomen.]]
	The Harvester Ant’s body is divided into three sections; the head, thorax, and abdomen. The ants’ exoskeleton is made of chitin and protects them from the elements and predators. <sup>[1]</sup> Harvester ants are moderately large with a size ranging between 5 and 10 mm. They are typically reddish-brown, however, some species are closer to brownish-black coloring. <sup>[4]</sup>		The Harvester Ant’s body is divided into three sections; the head, thorax, and abdomen. The ants’ exoskeleton is made of chitin and protects them from the elements and predators. <sup>[1]</sup> Harvester ants are moderately large with a size ranging between 5 and 10 mm. They are typically reddish-brown, however, some species are closer to brownish-black coloring. <sup>[4]</sup>

Showard8 at 03:11, 23 April 2023

2023-04-23T03:11:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:11, 22 April 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
			[[File:Pogonomyrmex barbatus casent0006306 profile 1.jpg\|right\|300px\|thumb\|Pogonomyrmex barbatus worker. ]]
	{\| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;		{\| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;
	\|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)\|'''Taxonomic Classification'''		\|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)\|'''Taxonomic Classification'''
Line 23:		Line 24:
	\|colspan="2"\|		\|colspan="2"\|
	\|}		\|}

	''Pogonomyrmex'' is the genus of harvester ants; there are 95 different species of extant harvester ants. <sup>[5]</sup> Colonies can survive anywhere from 14-50 years and reach up to 10,000 workers. <sup>[4]</sup> The genus Pogonomyrmex is known for its habit of collecting seeds and other items. These ants are also known for their painful and venomous sting.		''Pogonomyrmex'' is the genus of harvester ants; there are 95 different species of extant harvester ants. <sup>[5]</sup> Colonies can survive anywhere from 14-50 years and reach up to 10,000 workers. <sup>[4]</sup> The genus Pogonomyrmex is known for its habit of collecting seeds and other items. These ants are also known for their painful and venomous sting.

Line 48:		Line 48:

	== Diet and Behavior ==		== Diet and Behavior ==
	[[File:Florida harvester ant teamwork! (Pogonomyrmex badius) (6502194585).jpg \|left\|~~200px~~\|thumb\|Pogonomyrmex badius workers carrying a seed. ]]		[[File:Florida harvester ant teamwork! (Pogonomyrmex badius) (6502194585).jpg \|left\|300px\|thumb\|Pogonomyrmex badius workers carrying a seed. ]]
	A harvester ants diet mainly consists of seeds. Given their name, the workers of this genus “harvest” the plants by snipping off seeds with their mandibles. The seeds are stored within chambers in the mound, enough to sustain the entire colony through the winter. <sup>[5]</sup> Although seeds are the main food source of harvester ants, they are also capable of being scavengers; [[arthropods]] are the most common victim, however, the ants also go for a variety of other dead [[organisms]]. <sup>[5]</sup> Worker ants are typically the ones who go out looking for the colony's food, however, three species of harvester ants display a unique behavior. Queens of the species P. cuni- cularius cunicularius, P. cunicularius pencosensis, and P. huachucanus all have been observed foraging for food in the field. Queens of P .hauchucanus are obligate foragers and the other two species are not. <sup>[3]</sup>		A harvester ants diet mainly consists of seeds. Given their name, the workers of this genus “harvest” the plants by snipping off seeds with their mandibles. The seeds are stored within chambers in the mound, enough to sustain the entire colony through the winter. <sup>[5]</sup> Although seeds are the main food source of harvester ants, they are also capable of being scavengers; [[arthropods]] are the most common victim, however, the ants also go for a variety of other dead [[organisms]]. <sup>[5]</sup> Worker ants are typically the ones who go out looking for the colony's food, however, three species of harvester ants display a unique behavior. Queens of the species P. cuni- cularius cunicularius, P. cunicularius pencosensis, and P. huachucanus all have been observed foraging for food in the field. Queens of P .hauchucanus are obligate foragers and the other two species are not. <sup>[3]</sup>

Line 56:		Line 56:
	== Life Cycle ==		== Life Cycle ==

	[[File:HarvesterAntsF4.jpg \|right\|~~250px~~\|thumb\|Winged western harvester ants in mating balls. [2] ]]		[[File:HarvesterAntsF4.jpg \|right\|300px\|thumb\|Winged western harvester ants in mating balls. [2] ]]
	Harvester ants mate from spring to fall each year, most frequently after summer rains. <sup>[6]</sup> Winged males and females swarm together to form “mating balls” where they pair and mate. Males die soon after, and females break off their wings and lay eggs after finding a suitable nesting site to start a new colony. <sup>[2]</sup> Larvae hatch from the eggs and develop through several stages, called instars. The larvae appear white and legless with a small but distinct head. The next stage is pupation, which occurs within a cocoon. Once worker ants are produced by the queen, they begin to care for the other developing ants, enlarge the nest, and forage for food. <sup>[6]</sup>		Harvester ants mate from spring to fall each year, most frequently after summer rains. <sup>[6]</sup> Winged males and females swarm together to form “mating balls” where they pair and mate. Males die soon after, and females break off their wings and lay eggs after finding a suitable nesting site to start a new colony. <sup>[2]</sup> Larvae hatch from the eggs and develop through several stages, called instars. The larvae appear white and legless with a small but distinct head. The next stage is pupation, which occurs within a cocoon. Once worker ants are produced by the queen, they begin to care for the other developing ants, enlarge the nest, and forage for food. <sup>[6]</sup>

Showard8 at 03:05, 23 April 2023

2023-04-23T03:05:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:05, 22 April 2023
Line 48:		Line 48:

	== Diet and Behavior ==		== Diet and Behavior ==
			[[File:Florida harvester ant teamwork! (Pogonomyrmex badius) (6502194585).jpg \|left\|200px\|thumb\|Pogonomyrmex badius workers carrying a seed. ]]
	A harvester ants diet mainly consists of seeds. Given their name, the workers of this genus “harvest” the plants by snipping off seeds with their mandibles. The seeds are stored within chambers in the mound, enough to sustain the entire colony through the winter. <sup>[5]</sup> Although seeds are the main food source of harvester ants, they are also capable of being scavengers; [[arthropods]] are the most common victim, however, the ants also go for a variety of other dead [[organisms]]. <sup>[5]</sup> Worker ants are typically the ones who go out looking for the colony's food, however, three species of harvester ants display a unique behavior. Queens of the species P. cuni- cularius cunicularius, P. cunicularius pencosensis, and P. huachucanus all have been observed foraging for food in the field. Queens of P .hauchucanus are obligate foragers and the other two species are not. <sup>[3]</sup>		A harvester ants diet mainly consists of seeds. Given their name, the workers of this genus “harvest” the plants by snipping off seeds with their mandibles. The seeds are stored within chambers in the mound, enough to sustain the entire colony through the winter. <sup>[5]</sup> Although seeds are the main food source of harvester ants, they are also capable of being scavengers; [[arthropods]] are the most common victim, however, the ants also go for a variety of other dead [[organisms]]. <sup>[5]</sup> Worker ants are typically the ones who go out looking for the colony's food, however, three species of harvester ants display a unique behavior. Queens of the species P. cuni- cularius cunicularius, P. cunicularius pencosensis, and P. huachucanus all have been observed foraging for food in the field. Queens of P .hauchucanus are obligate foragers and the other two species are not. <sup>[3]</sup>

Showard8 at 02:51, 23 April 2023

2023-04-23T02:51:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:51, 22 April 2023
Line 56:		Line 56:
	== Life Cycle ==		== Life Cycle ==

			[[File:HarvesterAntsF4.jpg \|right\|250px\|thumb\|Winged western harvester ants in mating balls. [2] ]]
	Harvester ants mate from spring to fall each year, most frequently after summer rains. <sup>[6]</sup> Winged males and females swarm together to form “mating balls” where they pair and mate. Males die soon after, and females break off their wings and lay eggs after finding a suitable nesting site to start a new colony. <sup>[2]</sup> Larvae hatch from the eggs and develop through several stages, called instars. The larvae appear white and legless with a small but distinct head. The next stage is pupation, which occurs within a cocoon. Once worker ants are produced by the queen, they begin to care for the other developing ants, enlarge the nest, and forage for food. <sup>[6]</sup>		Harvester ants mate from spring to fall each year, most frequently after summer rains. <sup>[6]</sup> Winged males and females swarm together to form “mating balls” where they pair and mate. Males die soon after, and females break off their wings and lay eggs after finding a suitable nesting site to start a new colony. <sup>[2]</sup> Larvae hatch from the eggs and develop through several stages, called instars. The larvae appear white and legless with a small but distinct head. The next stage is pupation, which occurs within a cocoon. Once worker ants are produced by the queen, they begin to care for the other developing ants, enlarge the nest, and forage for food. <sup>[6]</sup>
	~~[[File:HarvesterAntsF4.jpg \|right\|250px\|thumb\|Winged western harvester ants in mating balls. [2] ]]~~

	== Ecological Impacts ==		== Ecological Impacts ==

Showard8: /* Life Cycle */

2023-04-23T02:50:02Z

Life Cycle

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:50, 22 April 2023
Line 57:		Line 57:

	Harvester ants mate from spring to fall each year, most frequently after summer rains. <sup>[6]</sup> Winged males and females swarm together to form “mating balls” where they pair and mate. Males die soon after, and females break off their wings and lay eggs after finding a suitable nesting site to start a new colony. <sup>[2]</sup> Larvae hatch from the eggs and develop through several stages, called instars. The larvae appear white and legless with a small but distinct head. The next stage is pupation, which occurs within a cocoon. Once worker ants are produced by the queen, they begin to care for the other developing ants, enlarge the nest, and forage for food. <sup>[6]</sup>		Harvester ants mate from spring to fall each year, most frequently after summer rains. <sup>[6]</sup> Winged males and females swarm together to form “mating balls” where they pair and mate. Males die soon after, and females break off their wings and lay eggs after finding a suitable nesting site to start a new colony. <sup>[2]</sup> Larvae hatch from the eggs and develop through several stages, called instars. The larvae appear white and legless with a small but distinct head. The next stage is pupation, which occurs within a cocoon. Once worker ants are produced by the queen, they begin to care for the other developing ants, enlarge the nest, and forage for food. <sup>[6]</sup>
			[[File:HarvesterAntsF4.jpg \|right\|250px\|thumb\|Winged western harvester ants in mating balls. [2] ]]

	== Ecological Impacts ==		== Ecological Impacts ==

Showard8 at 02:34, 23 April 2023

2023-04-23T02:34:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:34, 22 April 2023
Line 55:		Line 55:

	== Life Cycle ==		== Life Cycle ==

			Harvester ants mate from spring to fall each year, most frequently after summer rains. <sup>[6]</sup> Winged males and females swarm together to form “mating balls” where they pair and mate. Males die soon after, and females break off their wings and lay eggs after finding a suitable nesting site to start a new colony. <sup>[2]</sup> Larvae hatch from the eggs and develop through several stages, called instars. The larvae appear white and legless with a small but distinct head. The next stage is pupation, which occurs within a cocoon. Once worker ants are produced by the queen, they begin to care for the other developing ants, enlarge the nest, and forage for food. <sup>[6]</sup>

	== Ecological Impacts ==		== Ecological Impacts ==

			Due to the seed-harvesting habit of these ants, they are often seen as agricultural pests. They reduce vegetation and can damage rangeland used for cattle grazing. On the other hand, they can have several benefits; they aerate the soil, provide enrichment, and promote new plants to sprout by discarding seeds. The ants also play an important role in structuring the ecosystem around them. Based on the quantity and type of seeds the ants are harvesting, their differential feeding can alter the composition of the plant community. <sup>[4]</sup>
	== References ==		== References ==

Showard8: /* Diet and Behavior */

2023-04-23T02:31:58Z

Diet and Behavior

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:31, 22 April 2023
Line 50:		Line 50:

	A harvester ants diet mainly consists of seeds. Given their name, the workers of this genus “harvest” the plants by snipping off seeds with their mandibles. The seeds are stored within chambers in the mound, enough to sustain the entire colony through the winter. <sup>[5]</sup> Although seeds are the main food source of harvester ants, they are also capable of being scavengers; [[arthropods]] are the most common victim, however, the ants also go for a variety of other dead [[organisms]]. <sup>[5]</sup> Worker ants are typically the ones who go out looking for the colony's food, however, three species of harvester ants display a unique behavior. Queens of the species P. cuni- cularius cunicularius, P. cunicularius pencosensis, and P. huachucanus all have been observed foraging for food in the field. Queens of P .hauchucanus are obligate foragers and the other two species are not. <sup>[3]</sup>		A harvester ants diet mainly consists of seeds. Given their name, the workers of this genus “harvest” the plants by snipping off seeds with their mandibles. The seeds are stored within chambers in the mound, enough to sustain the entire colony through the winter. <sup>[5]</sup> Although seeds are the main food source of harvester ants, they are also capable of being scavengers; [[arthropods]] are the most common victim, however, the ants also go for a variety of other dead [[organisms]]. <sup>[5]</sup> Worker ants are typically the ones who go out looking for the colony's food, however, three species of harvester ants display a unique behavior. Queens of the species P. cuni- cularius cunicularius, P. cunicularius pencosensis, and P. huachucanus all have been observed foraging for food in the field. Queens of P .hauchucanus are obligate foragers and the other two species are not. <sup>[3]</sup>


			Another behavior of the harvester ant is its defense mechanism; stinging. When threatened, many species of Pogonomyrmex become violent and persistently sting the threat. The effects of the sting can be very painful and cause swelling and inflammation which can last several hours. Depending on one's sensitivity to the venom or the severity of the stings, medical attention may be needed. <sup>[5]</sup> For the size of a harvester ant, their sting is quite painful and potent. An additional distinctive behavior of the ant is that they move much slower than other similar species, such as fire ants. <sup>[4]</sup>

	== Life Cycle ==		== Life Cycle ==

Showard8 at 02:30, 23 April 2023

2023-04-23T02:30:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:30, 22 April 2023
Line 45:		Line 45:
	== Habitat and Range ==		== Habitat and Range ==

	Pogonomyrmex is native to North, Central, and South America. [5] They construct their nests in the [[soil]], typically in dry and sandy areas that are fully exposed to the sun. [4] They can be 1-10 m in diameter with tunnels that extend down to 5 m or more. [4] The nests can range from having no mound to having a huge mound; the latter tends to be more common. The entrances to the nests are often marked in a special way; by a crater or cone, a pile of stones, or a covering of [[gravel]]. [5] In addition, some species clear away all plants and vegetation that surround the outside area of the nest. [5]		Pogonomyrmex is native to North, Central, and South America. <sup>[5]</sup> They construct their nests in the [[soil]], typically in dry and sandy areas that are fully exposed to the sun. <sup>[4]</sup> They can be 1-10 m in diameter with tunnels that extend down to 5 m or more. <sup>[4]</sup> The nests can range from having no mound to having a huge mound; the latter tends to be more common. The entrances to the nests are often marked in a special way; by a crater or cone, a pile of stones, or a covering of [[gravel]]. <sup>[5]</sup> In addition, some species clear away all plants and vegetation that surround the outside area of the nest. <sup>[5]</sup>

	== Diet and Behavior ==		== Diet and Behavior ==

			A harvester ants diet mainly consists of seeds. Given their name, the workers of this genus “harvest” the plants by snipping off seeds with their mandibles. The seeds are stored within chambers in the mound, enough to sustain the entire colony through the winter. <sup>[5]</sup> Although seeds are the main food source of harvester ants, they are also capable of being scavengers; [[arthropods]] are the most common victim, however, the ants also go for a variety of other dead [[organisms]]. <sup>[5]</sup> Worker ants are typically the ones who go out looking for the colony's food, however, three species of harvester ants display a unique behavior. Queens of the species P. cuni- cularius cunicularius, P. cunicularius pencosensis, and P. huachucanus all have been observed foraging for food in the field. Queens of P .hauchucanus are obligate foragers and the other two species are not. <sup>[3]</sup>

	== Life Cycle ==		== Life Cycle ==

Showard8: /* Habitat and Range */

2023-04-23T02:26:29Z

Habitat and Range

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:26, 22 April 2023
Line 44:		Line 44:

	== Habitat and Range ==		== Habitat and Range ==

			Pogonomyrmex is native to North, Central, and South America. [5] They construct their nests in the [[soil]], typically in dry and sandy areas that are fully exposed to the sun. [4] They can be 1-10 m in diameter with tunnels that extend down to 5 m or more. [4] The nests can range from having no mound to having a huge mound; the latter tends to be more common. The entrances to the nests are often marked in a special way; by a crater or cone, a pile of stones, or a covering of [[gravel]]. [5] In addition, some species clear away all plants and vegetation that surround the outside area of the nest. [5]

	== Diet and Behavior ==		== Diet and Behavior ==