Harvester ant. Pogonomyrmex anzensis?? - Solenopsis xyloni

This is a Fire Ant (Solenopsis sp.)

Although rough Harvester Ants (Pogonomyrmex sp.) have poorly developed, barely visible, propodeal spines, their propodeum is not so smoothly rounded (and shining) as in members of Solenopsidini tribe, like this one worker.

… Richard Vernier, 24 October, 2007 - 1:18am

This is a Fire Ant (Solenopsis sp.)

My mistake. I only intended to edit a previous comment, by typed the wrong "button".

… Richard Vernier, 24 October, 2007 - 1:13am

Unsure, maybe Solenopsis sp.?

Edit: Eric beat me to it. =)

Just a note, P. anzensis has only been found in Split Mountain in Anza Borrego State Park. It's really rare, I think it has only been discovered 2-3 times in the area by myrmecologists.

… George Waldren, 23 October, 2007 - 6:42pm

Not "Pogo"

This ant is not a Pogonomyrmex. Could be Solenopsis, but please wait for Gordon Snelling to comment.

… Eric R. Eaton, 23 October, 2007 - 6:25pm

Agreed it is a Solenopsis. P

Agreed it is a Solenopsis almost certainly S. xyloni. P anzensis is indeed a rather rare ant however it's rarity is based in part on its preferred living environment which is rocky hillsides, not someplace one usually associates with Pogonomyrmex. P. anzensis has been found in a few other locations in the general vicinity of Split Mtn. in recent years and is probably more common in adjoining Mexico ranging south with California being the norhtern most limit of its range. It is a very strange species for a Pogo. See

http://notesfromunderground.org/archive/vol912/fieldwork/panzensis.html

for a tale of the rediscovery of this species.

… Gordon C. Snelling, 24 October, 2007 - 7:44am

Nice

Cool comment. Thank you so much.I didn't think it was a fire ant at first because there was no mound to be found in the area. May be that's just a thing for the imported fire ants?? Is this species, Solenopsis xyloni, a native? If so, do they play any role in biological control?

Cheers!

… Paolo Sanguankeo, 24 October, 2007 - 12:37pm

S. xyloni is a native species

S. xyloni is a native species, they tend not to make large mounds although on rare occasions there will be some mounding activity. No role in biocontrol that I am aware of.

… Gordon C. Snelling, 25 October, 2007 - 7:07am