Nest architecture in the western harvester ant,Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Cresson)

Summary

The structure and thermal environment produced by the nest cones of the western harvester ant,Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, are investigated. The nest cone is oriented so that the longest slope faces towards the southeast ad the nest entrance faces the southeast. The temperature of the soil was monitored at thirty-six locations within the nest in order to measure the daily temperature change as a function of depth, aspect and radial distance from the center of peak of the cone. The occupancy of the nest cone by workers and by brood was assessed by core samples taken at different times of day in different portions of the cone. The brood are only present during the midmorning sample and are present in greatest numbers on the eastern side of the cone. The adult workers are present in the cone in highest numbers during the midmorning, virtually absent from the cone during mid-afternoon and returning in smaller numbers at dusk, apparently spending the night near the surface on the eastern side of the mound. The eastern and southern portions of the cone are occupied most frequently while the western side of the cone is nearly vacant. The nest cone is an adaptation which magnifies the amplitude of daily temperature fluctation. By moving to appropriate areas of the nest cone, the ants can take advantage of the increased range of temperature.