Pogonomyrmex Barbatus - Expert Species - Medium to Large in Size
 
As the Messor Barbarus is common the Europe, the Pogonomyrmex Barbatus is a harvester ant which is common in the USA, known as the "Red Harvester Ant | Western Harvester Ant" it is one of the most frequently met species in the West.This is usually an easily recognized species as it is large, red and aggressive.
 
As with other Harvesters they collect seeds which are eaten by the ants, and they are chewed into a protein rich food source known as "ant-bread". It is this these ants get 90% of their nutrients from.
 
In the wild the live in various habitats. Ranging from the edges of the desert and grasslands up to lower elevation pine forests, pinyon-juniper and oak forests, sagebrush and riparian habitats
 
Colony Size
Excess of 10,000 workers
Queen is fully claustral - requires no food until first workers
Queen Age
20 to 25 years (est.)
Temperature
Heated 28 to 30 degrees
Hibernation
No
Polymorphic (Different size casts)
No
Sting
Yes -  Venomous  sting which is very painful
Bite
Yes
Diet
Seeds, Occasional extra protein in the form of pre killed insects.
Nest Type
Natural, Acrylic, Sand, Earth, Glass. 
Size
Queen - 12mm
Worker - 3mm-10mm
Polymorphic - No
Development
Egg to Adult Worker - 8 to 10 weeks