For all you ant lovers...

[Galapoheros]

I'm not assuming. It's just my opinion .....so far.

 

[Ant Worker]

I recommend Picking up Taber's book on harvester ants, maybe it will help clarify some things?

 

[Galapoheros]

Well maybe it would, hehe. What will clear it up for me is a good pic, a close up of the ants.

 

[myrmecophile]

They are without question Acromyrmex versicolor. They are quite common in parts of Arizona. The "Cones" are very typical Acromyrmex nests. There are no Pogos in the pictures.

 

[Ant Worker]

Tell me why you think the bottom ant is acronomyrmex? It looks far more Pogo like than any acronomyrmex I've ever seen.

 

[nepenthes]

The nesting isn't Pogonomyrmex Sp's. Its kind of like a "volcano", pogos have more of a "mountain" mound with holes all over.

 

[myrmecophile]

The head shape which although a small image is clearly visible enough to show it is Acromymrmex or some other Attine, since it is in Az but not Organ Pipe it is Acromyrmex.

 

[Ant Worker]

Well, from all the Pogo's I've seen it looks like an above view of a Pogo worker, the head looks more Pogo like than acromyrmex gordon, I'll do some comparing later today with the heads of each and then give me decision ;D

 

[myrmecophile]

I have reexamined the ant in question, not only is the head shape absolutely characteristic of Acromyrmex the mandible which is visible although only barely also indicates that species.

 

[Ant Worker]

Closer inspection of the mandible led me to the same conclusion, good thing you pointed it out and made me look harder ;D

 

[brandi]

wow.... you guys are serriously into this ant thing. It was never my intention to start an argument about species. My intention was "hey guys, check out these cool looking ant cone thingys!" and let it go at that. I won't be posting any other pics (because I don't have any others, I wiped my memory card) and I no longer have access to the property so I won't be collecting any samples.

I really appreciate everyone here who a) liked the pics and/or b) wanted to help me learn more about these bugs, but please, I'm not worried about what species it is, and there's no need to argue about it. The pics are blury, and we should all be able to live quite happily with a "well, it could be this but I'm not sure." response.

Thanks all.

 

[cliff]

I think you misunderstand (or I do) but a good debate and serious inquiry into identifying a bug is FUN! for the serious bug nerd. I love these types of discussions and learn LOADS. These guys are serious about their hobbies and these are the types of people that find new species and all kinds of cool stuff.:clap:

Cliff

 

[brandi]

well said Cliff, :clap: and I am grateful for all I have learned from all the posters on here. recon I just get a little nervous due to negative experiences in the past (not on this board) when folks get "a might excited" about a topic.

I just want to make sure everything stays pleasant and cheerful, in the spirit of the original post. no offense meant to anyone.

 

[nepenthes]

Their was no tension, just Trying to guess a species, its always fun an anting forum I'm on has an occasional Species ID, its always fun to go and learn and try and guess you're self!

 

[8ball]

We have those here in texas too, I used to emss with them when I was a kid, u blow in their hole and they come out like crazy lol