Venomous-sting
Guides
Pogonomyrmex occidentalis
western harvester ant
Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, the western harvester ant, is a seed-collecting ant native to arid regions of the American West. Colonies construct conspicuous gravel mounds up to 89 cm in diameter, surrounded by vegetation-free nest disks that serve as "islands of fertility" where plants thrive along nest rims. The species possesses a painful, venomous sting used defensively, and plays documented roles as a keystone species in desert ecosystems through soil modification, seed dispersal, and as prey for specialized predators.