Charcoal-midden
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Pogonomyrmex badius
Florida Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex badius, the Florida harvester ant, is the only Pogonomyrmex species found on the east coast of the United States and the only North American member of the genus known to exhibit worker polymorphism. This species inhabits sandy, well-drained soils in Florida scrub and similar Atlantic coastal plain habitats. Colonies construct deep nests reaching 2.5–3.0 meters, with underground seed granaries and distinctive surface middens of charcoal and detritus. Workers display pronounced size variation (6.35–9.52 mm), with task allocation based on worker size and age-based vertical stratification within the nest. The species is notable for seasonal nest relocation, tool use for liquid food transport, and highly toxic venom delivered through a barbed stinger capable of autotomy.