harvester ant middens « Wild About Ants

Escargot Anyone?

You can tell a lot about a society by examining what its members throw away.

For example, here’s the trash heap or midden of a Pogonomyrmex colony.

Shell collection?

Water condensation devices?

Taste for escargot?

Garlic and butter anyone?

During a quick hike through South Mountain Park in Phoenix, Arizona yesterday, I spotted a Messor Pogonomyrmex rugosus harvester ant mound.

The refuse or midden pile was covered with a fluffy material.

The ants apparently have been collecting the seeds of this plant, and discarding the seed coats.

It is a common plant in the Sonoran desert. Do [...]