Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex spp.)
Family: Formicidae

Harvester ant nests can be several feet down and are clear of vegetation at their entrance.
These harvester ants live in colonies with up to a thousand workers. They collect seeds that are subsequently stored in the nest to feed the larvae. They also collect termites and other insects whenever these are available.
Harvester ants have a potent sting. In fact, for mammals, the harvester ant’s venom is ten times more toxic than a rattlesnake’s venom. Fortunately, the dose carried by a single ant is small, so one sting is painful but not medically significant. Multiple stings, or the rare case of an allergic reaction to the venom, should be taken seriously.