Red Harvester Ant
Scientific Name: Pogonomyrmex barbatus
Order & Family: Order: Hymenoptera; Family: Formicidae
Size: 5 mm to 7 mm (0.2 to 0.3 inches) for workers; queens are larger
Natural Habitat
Arid and semi-arid environments, grasslands, and deserts of the Southwestern United States and Mexico
Diet & Feeding
Primarily seeds (granivorous), though they also scavenge dead insects and nectar
Behavior Patterns
Diurnal foragers that clear large circular areas of vegetation around their nest entrances; they use pheromone trails for communication and have complex social structures founded by a single queen
Risks & Benefits
Possess a potent venomous sting that is painful and can cause allergic reactions in humans; ecologically beneficial through seed dispersal and soil aeration
Identified on: 6/13/2026