The Florida harvester ant Pogonomyrmex badius is the only North American pogo found east of the Mississippi, and the only species that is polymorphic in the worker caste.  The individual on the right is a major worker whose enlarged head holds muscles useful for milling seeds.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Three female morphological castes in the Florida harvester ant Pogonomyrmex badius: queen (left), major worker (top), and minor worker (bottom).

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Three female morphological castes in the Florida harvester ant Pogonomyrmex badius: queen (left), major worker (top), and minor worker (bottom).

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
The Florida harvester ant Pogonomyrmex badius is the only North American pogo found east of the Mississippi, and the only species that is polymorphic in the worker caste.  The individual on the right is a major worker whose enlarged head holds muscles useful for milling seeds.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
The Florida harvester ant Pogonomyrmex badius is the only North American pogo that is polymorphic in the worker caste.  

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
The Florida harvester ant Pogonomyrmex badius is the only North American pogo found east of the Mississippi, and the only species that is polymorphic in the worker caste.  The individual on the right is a major worker whose enlarged head holds muscles useful for milling seeds.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
The Florida harvester ant Pogonomyrmex badius is the only North American pogo found east of the Mississippi, and the only species that is polymorphic in the worker caste. The individual on the right is a major worker whose enlarged head holds muscles useful for milling seeds.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
The Florida harvester ant Pogonomyrmex badius is the only North American pogo found east of the Mississippi, and the only species that is polymorphic in the worker caste.  The individual on the right is a major worker whose enlarged head holds muscles useful for milling seeds.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
The Florida harvester ant Pogonomyrmex badius is the only North American pogo found east of the Mississippi, and the only species that is polymorphic in the worker caste. The individual on the right is a major worker whose enlarged head holds muscles useful for milling seeds.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013