Pogonomyrmex maricopa

Taxobox
name = "Maricopa Harvester Ant"


image_caption =
image_width =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Hexapoda
classis = Insecta
subclassis = Pterygota
infraclassis = Neoptera
ordo = Hymenoptera
subordo = Apocrita
infraordo = Aculeata
superfamilia = Vespoidea
familia = Formicidae
subfamilia = Myrmicinae
tribus = Myrmicini
genus = Pogonomyrmex
species = "P. maricopa"
binomial = "Pogonomyrmex maricopa"
binomial_authority = Wheeler, 1914
range_

range_map_width = The Maricopa Harvester Ant ("Pogonomyrmex maricopa") is one of the most common species of harvester ant species found in Arizona, [ [http://cals.arizona.edu/urbanipm/insects/ants/harvesterants.html Harvester Ants (Pogonomyrmex spp.)] — Urban Integrated Pest Management] and is considered the most venomous insect in the world. [cite web
title=Chapter 23 — Most Toxic Insect Venom
url=http://ufbir.ifas.ufl.edu/chap23.htm
author=W. L. Meyer
publisher=University of Florida
date=1996-05-01
work=Book of Insect Records]

Their nest mounds are likely to incorporate rocks and gravel. The ants construct cemented caps on the sand mound nests in a fine sand dune area. The caps are approximately 60% calcium carbonate that is transported from the underlying calcium carbonate layers, and protect the nest structure from being eroded away during high-wind periods. Partial erosion of the cemented caps adds calcium carbonate to the sand dune soils. [cite web
title=The functional significance of cemented nest caps of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex maricopa
url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WH9-47C45Y8-V&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=f94015a13b4dbf85079b88e82d48fb0d
author=Walter G. Whitford
doi=10.1006/jare.2002.1039]

Analysis of Venom and Attack Method

The Maricopa Harvester Ant is most well-known for the toxicity of its venom. The lethal dosage required to kill at least one half of a population (LD₅₀) of rodents is at an exact value of 0.12 mg/kg, as compared to that of the honey bee ("Apis mellifera") sting, which is 2.8 mg/kg. In other words, this means that one bite from the Maricopa Harvester Ant is equivalent to twelve honey bee stings — the required amount to kill a 4.5 pound rat. [cite web
title=World's Most Venomous Insect
url=http://chemistry.about.com/b/2007/11/16/worlds-most-venomous-insect.htm
author=Anne Marie Helmenstine
publisher=About.com]

Like many venomous insects, the venom of the Maricopa Harvester Ant consists of amino acids, peptides, and proteins. This may also encompass
alkaloids, terpenes, polysaccharides, biogenic amines, and organic acids. The most notable component found in the venom of the Maricopa Harvester Ant is that of the alkaloid poison — this releases an "alarm" pheromone that chemically alerts other ants in the vicinity. This is an example of chemical signaling, which explains why ants all appear to sting at once. The venom can also contain allergenic proteins that are otherwise known to set off a potentially lethal immune response in certain victims.

Similar to the two-part process of the fire ant bite and sting, the Harvester ant will attach to the victim with its mandibles, and so proceed by pivoting around the site, allowing the Maricopa Harvester Ant to repeatedly sting and inject venom into the region.

Sightings

Colonies of harvester ants can also be spotted in El Paso County, Texas, USA. One sighting, recorded on August 14, 2004, reported a rather largePogonomyrmex maricopa nest (6 ft by 24 ft). It was addressed that all surrounding vegetation had been cleared around the nests. The individual, who had made the sighting, had also noted the length of the Maricopa Harvester Ant at approximately one centimeter. [ [http://bugguide.net/node/view/12583/bgimage Maricopa Harvester ant - Pogonomyrmex - BugGuide.Net ] ]

Another sighting, recorded on July 26, 2001, in West Dog Canyon in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, USA, had described the ant-hill made consisting of excavated chambers that had a possible depth of seven feet or more. [http://www.uci.net/~pondhawk/GUMO/orders/Hymenoptera/cards/MaHahill.htm ]

These ants are also seen in New Mexico.

References

External links

* [http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=154234 Pogonomyrmex maricopa taxonomy] — ITIS Standard Report Page
* [http://www.tightloop.com/ants/pogmar.htm Pogonomyrmex maricopa (Maricopa Harvester Ant) photos]