Rough Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex rugosus
This record describes Pogonomyrmex rugosus (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Color and size is distinctive in range except for the dark morph of Veromessor andrei , but Pogonomyrmex has a continuous mesonotal profile (one hump) and Veromessor has an impressed metanotal groove (two humps). This species hybridizes with P. barbatus in the southeastern parts of its range. One of the most common Pogonomyrmex out west, very distinctive dark color seen in no other US species.
Wikipedia reference for Pogonomyrmex rugosus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pogonomyrmex_rugosus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Pogonomyrmecini
- Genus
- Pogonomyrmex (Harvester Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Most of the Southwest, from CA to KS to west TX, south into Mexico
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pogonomyrmex rugosus Emery, 1895
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pogonomyrmex rugosus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Rough Harvester Ant (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steven Wang
Frequently Asked Questions About Rough Harvester Ant
What is Rough Harvester Ant?
Rough Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex rugosus) is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Rough Harvester Ant?
Color and size is distinctive in range except for the dark morph of Veromessor andrei , but Pogonomyrmex has a continuous mesonotal profile (one hump) and Veromessor has an impressed metanotal groove (two humps). This species hybridizes with P. barbatus in the southeastern parts of its range.
Where is Rough Harvester Ant found?
Range: Most of the Southwest, from CA to KS to west TX, south into Mexico