Pogonomyrmex californicus (California harvester ant)
| Latin Name: |  |
Pogonomyrmex californicus |
| Trivialname: |  |
californica harvester ant |
| Taxonomy: |  |
Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Myrmicini |
| Keeping Level: |  |
(2) can sting painful and cause in some cases allergic reactions |
| Distribution: |  |
United States, Nothern Mexico |
| Habitate: |  |
desert and semidesert |
| Colonyform: |  |
monogyn, polygyn |
| Queen: |  |
Size: 9 - 12mm Colour: reddish-brown to yellowish-red |
| Worker: |  |
Size: 5,5 - 8,7mm Colour: reddish-brown to yellowish-red |
| Soldier: |  |
not present |
| Males: |  |
Size: - Colour: - |
| Nutrion: |  |
Mainly seeds e.g. millet, amaranthus, suncup, gras and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos |
| Airhumidity: |  |
Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60% |
| Temperature: |  |
Arena: 22 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C |
| Hibernation: |  |
yes like mediterranean antspecies for 2 -3 month at 15 - 18°C (unheated room) |
| Nestform: |  |
Build their nest in sandy soil which can reach down to 2m and have a small mount with 10cm height |
| Kind of Formicaria: |  |
farm-arena, center, combi, ytong, gypsum |
| Formicaria size: |  |
Size: M - L |
| Substrate: |  |
Farm: Sand-Loam, Humus Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam, |
| Planting: |  |
- |
| Decoration: |  |
Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, |
| Description: |  |
desert-dwelling, rapidly moving species of north- and middle america. They store seeds in up to 2m deep stores, making ant-bread out of it, such as species of Messor. This is why they're so-called harvesting ants. In nature they're building huge subterraneously nests and tunnels. To be able to grind up hard seeds they have a brawny head with strong mandibles. |
| Development: |  |
matingflight: - founding: claustral colonysize: - |
| Quantity: |  |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
| Weblinks: |  |
- Forum - Reference |