Workers are roughly 6–9 mm.
Fine-art photographic collection
Pogonomyrmex barbatus
A red harvester ant whose colonies solve collective decisions through simple local rules.
About this species
Red harvester ant
Pogonomyrmex barbatus(Smith, 1858)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Pogonomyrmex barbatus is a seed-harvesting ant of arid North America. Colonies maintain cleared nest discs and regulate foraging according to weather and the rate at which successful workers return.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Pogonomyrmex
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
South-western United States and northern MexicoBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
South-western United States and northern Mexico.
Desert grassland, scrub and dry open soil.
Diurnal, but foraging is sharply limited by heat, humidity and recent rainfall.
Seeds, supplemented by dead insects and occasional other foods.
Large ground colonies contain one queen and thousands of workers; colonies may persist for decades.
What makes this species remarkable?
Outgoing foragers are activated by brief antennal contacts with successful returning workers.
Colonies differ consistently in how cautiously they respond to dry conditions.
The sting is powerful and used in nest defence.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
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