Pogonomyrmex maricopa
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| Maricopa Harvester Ant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Pogonomyrmex maricopa Wheeler, 1914 |
The Maricopa Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex maricopa) is one of the most common species of harvester ant species found in Arizona,[1] and is considered the most venomous insect in the world.[2]
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. [3]
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[edit] 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.[4]
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.
[edit] Sitings
Colonies of harvester ants can also be spotted in El Paso County, Texas, USA. One siting, recorded on August 14, 2004, reported a rather large Pogonomyrmex 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 siting, had also noted the length of the Maricopa Harvester Ant at approximately one centimeter.[5]
Another siting, recorded on July 26, 2001, in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park (West Dog Canyon), Lubboc, Texas, USA, had described the ant-hill made consisting of excavated chambers that had a possible depth of seven feet or more.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Harvester Ants (Pogonomyrmex spp.) — Urban Integrated Pest Management
- ^ W. L. Meyer (1996-05-01). Chapter 23 — Most Toxic Insect Venom. Book of Insect Records. University of Florida.
- ^ Walter G. Whitford. The functional significance of cemented nest caps of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex maricopa. DOI:10.1006/jare.2002.1039.
- ^ Anne Marie Helmenstine. World's Most Venomous Insect. About.com.
- ^ http://bugguide.net/node/view/12583/bgimage
- ^ http://www.uci.net/~pondhawk/GUMO/orders/Hymenoptera/cards/MaHahill.htm
[edit] External links
- Pogonomyrmex maricopa taxonomy — ITIS Standard Report Page
- Pogonomyrmex maricopa (Maricopa Harvester Ant) photos
