{"product_id":"pogonomyrmex-californicus-bicolor-californian-harvester-ant","title":"Pogonomyrmex Californicus Bicolor (Californian Harvester Ant)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePogonomyrmex californicus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e bicolor (Californian Harvester Ant)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the most popular harvester ant species, the American, Orange Harvester ant. This species is commonly found throughout the Southwestern states of the US . This species has a predominantly orangeish\/red body (gaster and thorax) and a bulky head. This is especially true in the queens and large major workers of this species. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvester ants did you say? Like many species belonging to the \u003cem\u003ePogonomyrmex \u003c\/em\u003egenus, they actually do just that! These little critters will form several metre non-stop lines of workers carrying plant seeds and husks from A (source of seeds) to B (back to nest). Usually from dawn till dusk! It gets even more interesting! \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvested seeds aren't actually just collected and stored. In order to become useful to the colony, the workers will deshell the pulp from the husk and chew this and combining it with their own saliva and enzymes to create a type of 'ant bread'. This is then fed to their youngsters, the larvae!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, nests are often found amongst low lying shrubs and ground dwelling plants typically associated with undisturbed land in arid enviornments. I.e. 'Chaparrales'. Colonies are often chracterised by their large nest entrances in the wild. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey are an active and aggresive species of ant that can sting if provoked.  They are a relatively slow growing species. However, with the right temperature and protein levels, colonies can quickly develop and gain momentum after reaching 30-40 workers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDuring the\u003cstrong\u003e founding stage \u003c\/strong\u003equeens should be kept at 26-27C with a humidity level of 60%, once workers eclose and a foraging area is provided, distinct temperature gradients should be achieved with the \u003cstrong\u003enesting area \u003c\/strong\u003eremaining between 24-26C and the \u003cstrong\u003eoutworld \u003c\/strong\u003eat 26-30C. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eQueens are considered \u003cstrong\u003esemi-claustral\u003c\/strong\u003e and should be fed on a weekly basis with sugars and proteins (especialyl when larvae appear). \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDue to the climate of their natural environment, these ants are mainly active throughout the year but would benefit from a short period of rest during the cooler months of November - January.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is \u003cstrong\u003eillegal and strictly frowned upon to release any non-native ants into the wild.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AntsHQ","offers":[{"title":"2 queens \u0026 brood","offer_id":64219023999325,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 queen \u0026 brood","offer_id":64219023966557,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1058\/4109\/9101\/files\/Pogonomyrmexcalifornicus1.webp?v=1776411411","url":"https:\/\/www.antshq.co.uk\/products\/pogonomyrmex-californicus-bicolor-californian-harvester-ant","provider":"Ants HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}