Giant Harvester Ants (Pogonomyrmex barbatus)

General: Pogonomyrmex barbatus is a huge, orange, seed harvesting ant from the southwestern US. Colonies grow large quickly. They must be heated, and must have access to seeds!

Diet: These ants prioritize seeds for their diet, as they are harvester ants, but still benefit from protein. Some of their favorite seeds are Kentucky Bluegrass and Dandelion seeds. This species can live almost entirely on seeds, as in the wild more than 90% of their diet is seeds.

Temperature: These ants require heating. Their nest should ideally be between 88-95, but provide a heating gradient if possible. Pogonomyrmex barbatus will not grow at room temperature! They will go into diapause.

Diapause: Pogonomyrmex barbatus usually won’t need diapause, but if they appear to, simply cool them to room temperature or slightly colder for a 3-5 weeks. Make sure they’re stocked up on seeds during this time. Do not bring them close to freezing.

Growth: Brood development takes 4-8 weeks depending on heating and feeding. Colonies can reach into the hundreds of workers within the first year if fed lots and heated correctly.

Queen size: 11-13mm

Worker size: 5-9mm

If ants arrive in bad condition, contact us for help. Live arrival is guaranteed.