The Comanche Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex comanche) in North Central Texas

My name is Ann Mayo and I am currently completing a PhD in ecology at the University of Texas-Arlington. My research focus is the ecology of the Comanche harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex comanche, in the Fort Worth Nature Center in Fort Worth and the Southwest Nature Preserve in Arlington, Texas. I have a strong naturalist orientation (old school ecology). You can follow my research and more detailed natural history notes (with photos and videos) at: Ant Ecology and Other Adventures (onsnetwork.org/mayonotebook). However, I will keep simple observations here as well.

The Comanche harvester ant is in the genus Pogonomyrmex, which means "bearded ant" -- Pogono: bearded and myrmex: ant. One of the diagnostic features of this genus are several hairs found below the mandibles which is called a beard. The Comanche harvester ant only nests in very deep sandy soils in prairies surrounded by oak forests. There are 5 states in which they are found: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

If you have observations about harvester ants, especially the Comanche harvester ant, I would like to know about it.

If you are in Texas and are interested in ants, I am part of a new research group, Ants of Texas, which is putting together a comprehensive species list of ants in Texas (including distribution and ecological information). Also, if you own property in Texas and would allow us to collect ants on your property, we would greatly appreciation the possibility. This is a long term project. We have a blog: texasants.blogspot.com

Posted on July 20, 2013 01:57 PM by littleant