![]() Harvester ant queens are long-lived and continue laying eggs to build and maintain the colony. Workers produced begin caring for other developing ants, enlarge the nest, and forage for food. Larvae hatch from eggs, go through several stages (instars), and pupate before becoming adults. After finding a suitable nest site, the queen drops her wings, digs a burrow and produces a few eggs. In Arizona, winged male and female harvester ants swarm, mate and establish new nest areas in spring or summer, usually following a rainy period. Some species of harvester ants have stingers with reverse barbs which pull out when used, much like honey bees. People having allergic reactions to insect stings should be especially careful. They can sting and will aggressively defend the nest if threatened. ![]() Harvester ant workers are usually between ¼ and ½ inch in length and colors range from orange, to red, brown, or black. There are 22 species of harvester ants found in the United States (several of these are found in Arizona). You should consider letting them be if they are in a quiet corner of your property. When harvester ants are found in your yard, it is up to you to decide whether or not they pose a risk. Horned lizards (horned toads) rely on harvester ants for food which compose up to 90% of their diets. Harvester ants disperse seed, increase permeability of soils, and feed other organisms. In open spaces p.away from people and pets, they are a beneficial member of their ecosystem and should be left alone. Harvester ants ( Pogonomyrmex spp.) are most noticeable in wildland areas by the 4 to 35-foot-wide circular bare spots they create on the soil surface. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County Jeff Schalau, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources While red harvester ants are known to dwell primarily outdoors, winged ants can accidently invade homes during swarming periods.Backyard Gardener - Harvester Ants - July 17, 2019 Red harvester ants participate in "hill-topping," gathering around prominent points within a landscape - such as tall trees, chimneys and towers - while searching for mates. For this reason, it is common to witness large numbers of winged ants appearing in one area. The swarming behavior of red harvester ants is commonly synchronized with nearby colonies. Red harvester ant mating swarms take place within a single day. Although mating swarms occur between June and October, they are most common in the months of August and September. Red harvester ants are most active in warm temperatures, and mating swarms typically occur in the afternoon after rainfall or heavy storms. ![]() Red harvester ant mating swarms occur annually in warm environments and at elevated heights. ![]() After mating, the mated females shed their wings and establish new nesting sites. They are attracted to each other by pheromones. The fertilized females establish new colonies and become queens.ĭuring red harvester ant mating swarms, winged males and females emerge from their colonies. Male ants exist for the sole purpose of reproduction and die soon after mating. Worker ants are sterile females who forage for food and perform routine colony maintenance as their primary responsibilities. Like other ant species, red harvester ants are divided into castes within their colonies. ![]()
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