Pilostyles: An Amazing Wildflower (2)
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Dyeweed and Desert Harvester Ants

White Dalea or Dyeweed: Psorothamnus emoryi (legume family Fabaceae)
Harvester Ant: Messor pergandei (family Formicidae, subfamily Myrmicinae)

Unless otherwise stated, all images taken with Sony T-1.

Carrizo Badlands of Anza Borrego State Park at dusk. All the following images of harvester ants (Messor pergandei) were taken along Hwy S-2 near the overlook to the Carrizo Badlands. (Sony V-3.]

Harvester ant nest near the base of a dyeweed shrub (Psorothamnus emoryi). Numerous dyeweed calyces with orange glands are discarded along the edge of the mound (red circle).

Harvester ant nest near the base of a dyeweed shrub (Psorothamnus emoryi). Numerous dyeweed calyces with orange glands are discarded along the edge of the mound. The inset shows enlarged view of husk dump.

Harvester ant removing flower from dyeweed (Psorothamnus emoryi).

Harvester ant carrying dyeweed flower (Psorothamnus emoryi) to its nest.

Harvester ant carrying dyeweed flower (Psorothamnus emoryi) to its nest.

Harvester ant carrying dyeweed flower (Psorothamnus emoryi) to its nest.

Harvester ant carrying dyeweed flower (Psorothamnus emoryi) into its nest.

Harvester ant carrying dyeweed flower (Psorothamnus emoryi) into its nest.

Harvester ant (Messor pergandei) [B & L dissecting microscope with Sony V-3.]

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