This species is not aggressive, though a few individuals will often pose menacingly when the nest is approached. P. bicolor is seldom seen, and can be differentiated from the bicolored variety of Pogonomyrmex californicus by the profile of the thorax, the presence of propodeal spines in P. bicolor (often well-developed), the very fine 'silky' cephalic rugosity in P. bicolor, ventral hairs on the petiolar peduncle of P. bicolor, and P. bicolor's obvious lobe, also on the venter of the peduncle. I consider this to be one of the most beautiful of all North American ants.