Borrego Part 3

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Borrego Valley March 2015 Part 3

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Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex) In Borrego Valley

Desert Harvester Ant (Messor = Veromessor pergandei)

Messor pergandei: The common black harvester ant throughout Borrego Valley. Unlike the red harvester ant Pogonomyrmex, this species does not sting. It typically makes conspicuous piles of seedless husks around its nest crater.

Harvester Ant (Messor pergandei) & Filaree (Erodium cicutarium)

Harvester ants of the genus Messor and husks of Erodium cicutarium (blue arrow).

Messor pergandei: A large, shiny black harvester ant.

Desert harvester ant (Messor pergandei).

California harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex californicus) have a painful sting.

A: Magnified view of the head of a desert harvester ant (Messor pergandei). Messor species are also called "smooth" harvester ants. B: California harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex californicus). Note hairs and parallel vertical lines (grooves) on red harvester ant. Pogonomyrmex species are also called "rough" harvester ants.