Anza Borrego, California, USA.
Pogonomyrmex anergismus (at left) is a workerless social parasite of other species of Pogonomyrmex harvester ants. The small queens live deep in the nests of their hosts, taking advantage of their resources to produce more parasite queens and males. Once a year, in the fall, a crop of young parasites leave their natal nests to mate and locate a fresh host to colonize. Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA
A busy nest of Pogonomyrmex rugosus harvester ants in urban Tucson. Tucson, Arizona, USA
