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HARVESTER ANT                                                                                                              HARVESTER ANT














                                      Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR  Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                                                                        Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR  Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR


















                                      Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                           Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                                               Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                            Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

      1.Antenna- segmented                6.Thorax- one pair of spines             HARVESTER ANT                                1.Antenna- segmented                6.Thorax- one pair of spines             HARVESTER ANT
      2.Eyes - 2 compound                 7.Petiole- two nodes                                                                  2.Eyes - 2 compound                 7.Petiole- two nodes
      3.Head- long hairs under chin       8.Abdomen- fairly small                            6  7                               3.Head- long hairs under chin       8.Abdomen- fairly small                            6   7
      4.Legs- 6                           9.Color- red, brown, black                                   8                        4.Legs- 6                           9.Color- red, brown, black                                   8
      5.Wings- alates only                0.Other                                                                             5.Wings- alates only                0.Other
      Life Cycle                                                                                                                Life Cycle
      Swarming occurs several times each year, starting in June and July but most                                               Swarming occurs several times each year, starting in June and July but most
      prominently during August and September.  The winged ants emerge in large                                                 prominently during August and September.  The winged ants emerge in large
      numbers, but most will not survive.  The male dies right after mating, and the   3   4                                    numbers, but most will not survive.  The male dies right after mating, and the   3   4
      female starts a new underground colony.  Colonies may last for quite a number                                             female starts a new underground colony.  Colonies may last for quite a number
      of years, and can contain thousands of ants. The queen can live for up to 30                                              of years, and can contain thousands of ants. The queen can live for up to 30
      years. The colony becomes less active in temperatures over 120 degrees and                                                years. The colony becomes less active in temperatures over 120 degrees and
      during the rainy season.                                                           Drawing by Andrew Schaible             during the rainy season.                                                           Drawing by Andrew Schaible

                                                                                      Actual size 1/4”                                                                                                          Actual size 1/4”
     HARVESTER ANT                                                                                                             HARVESTER ANT

     One of the Harvester Ant types common in Arizona is the California variety. It is quite large (1/4th inch)                One of the Harvester Ant types common in Arizona is the California variety. It is quite large (1/4th inch)
     and red colored. Others can be up to ½ inch, and colored black. Harvester Ants are also known for their                   and red colored. Others can be up to ½ inch, and colored black. Harvester Ants are also known for their
     ability to sting. Nests are found underground with a small mound at the opening, which is littered with                   ability to sting. Nests are found underground with a small mound at the opening, which is littered with
     leftover food debris. No live vegetation is found anywhere around the opening of the nest.  They gen-                     leftover food debris. No live vegetation is found anywhere around the opening of the nest.  They gen-
     erally seek seeds as a main source of food.  During the winter, the nest is sealed off and no activity is                 erally seek seeds as a main source of food.  During the winter, the nest is sealed off and no activity is
     seen.                                                                                                                     seen.


     These ants have actually been able to kill small pigs by their sudden and vicious attacks.  Harvester                     These ants have actually been able to kill small pigs by their sudden and vicious attacks.  Harvester
     Ants will go after people and just about any small animal that gets too close to their nest.  A few types                 Ants will go after people and just about any small animal that gets too close to their nest.  A few types
     will leave the stinger in their victim just as bees do, but most do not.                                                  will leave the stinger in their victim just as bees do, but most do not.








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