Ants busy with seeds? - Pogonomyrmex badius - BugGuide.Net

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Copyright © 2014 Robert Lord Brown

Ants busy with seeds? - Pogonomyrmex badius

Lecanto, Citrus County, Florida, USA
October 11, 2014
Size: .2"

What is going on here? It looks like have seeds stockpiled all around this opening. Are they bringing them in or bringing them out.
Are these seeds or something else?
Are these harvester ants?

Images of this individual: tag all

Ants busy with seeds? - Pogonomyrmex badius

Ants busy with seeds? - Pogonomyrmex badius

Contributed by Robert Lord Brown on 11 October, 2014 - 9:39pm
Last updated 18 December, 2014 - 4:16pm

Moved

Moved from Ants.

… James C. Trager, 18 December, 2014 - 4:16pm

Moved

Moved from Ants.

… john and jane balaban, 30 November, 2014 - 3:37pm

Moved

Moved from Ants.

… john and jane balaban, 30 November, 2014 - 3:37pm

Moved

Moved from Ants.

… john and jane balaban, 30 November, 2014 - 3:37pm

Moved

Moved from Ants.

… john and jane balaban, 30 November, 2014 - 3:37pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… john and jane balaban, 30 November, 2014 - 3:37pm

Myrmecochory?

I think this could be an example of myrmecochory--a type of seed dispersal by ants. Myrmecochorous plants have seeds with external food bodies (elaiosomes). These are little packets of tasty, nutritious food that attract ants. Ants carry the seeds with the elaiosomes back to their nests, cut off the food and discard the seeds. It would be interesting to know what plant the seeds come from. I'm not sure which ants those are either.

… Bill Gerth, 16 October, 2014 - 12:19pm

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