Well, the season of spring planting and landscaping is upon us. All about town residents can be seen working diligently in their yards to improve the landscape. Unbeknownst to most people, there is a small animal that improves the quality of the soil in the yard, although this animal is known to pack quite a punch with their venomous sting. This creature is the Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex sp.).
Harvester Ants can be found throughout the American Southwest, from California eastward to east Texas. Their natural range happens to coincide with that of the Horned Lizards (also known as “Horny Toads”), and this species of ant is the chief prey item for these lizards. In areas where the Harvester Ants have been exterminated, the Horned Lizards have unfortunately suffered the same fate.
Harvester Ants, like all other ant species, are simply nothing more than wingless wasps that live in colonies. This variety of ant is the largest species in west Texas, with workers averaging 3/8 of an inch in total length. The Queen of the colony is slightly larger, averaging nearly ½ of an inch. The general coloration of this ant ranges from a dark brick red to almost candy-apple red.
