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 Insectlorepedia > Insects > Ants >Western Harvester Ant |
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Size: Harvester ant workers are about 1/4-1/2 in (4.7-11.5 mm) long. Color: Orange to reddish to dark brown or brownish black; some species with two colors. Harvester ants build medium to large sized mounds. Western harvester ant mounds may be 1-4 ft. across, and 2-10 in. high. They remove all plants around the mound, probably to prevent it from becoming shaded. In fields, red harvester ants may clear an area up to 35 feet across. The western harvester ant sometimes covers its mounds with little pebbles, charcoal, or dead leaves, to help keep the nests warm. Most species move their nests from time to time, if they have been fighting with other ants, or if the mound becomes shaded by a tall plant. These ants eat seeds, but usually feed on one species until it is gone, and then start in on another kind. They also eat insects. They stay in the nest during the hot part of the day. There are two patterns of feeding behavior. California harvester ants leave the nest one by one and go in all directions. Red harvester ants start out from the nest on main routes on which they have left a scent; where these routes stop they go forth individually. Some species are warlike, and almost always fight when they run into even their own species from other colonies. Other species do not fight. Swarming occurs during the summer. There are both male and female swarmers. Mating occurs outside the nest, after which the females fly off to start new colonies. Harvester ants remove growing plants from around their nests, which causes large bare spots in lawns and fields. They may kill animals that disturb their nests. They also have a painful sting, which may be a special problem for people with allergies. Some species have a barbed stinger, like that of a bee, that separates from their bodies when used. |
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Dr. Entomology Suggests:
