Arrived healthy
Red Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus)
Regular price
$75.00
Live arrival guarantee. Your ants arrive alive and healthy, or we send a free replacement within 5 days.
FREE Overnight Shipping on orders $100+. Add a second queen or colony and most orders qualify. Under $100, it's $24.99 flat.
Ships via UPS Next Day Air, Monday to Thursday, and arrives by noon the next day. Heat or ice pack included free.
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Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.6 / 5 from 16 reviews.
She is doing great!!
Colony arrived alive and is settling in nicely, worker count was a hair lower than i expected. docking one star for that but really happy overall
Colony arrived alive and is settling in nicely, delivery was slightly behind the estimated window. Overall a strong colony and I would order again.
figured id update after a few weeks: colony is doing amazing. first nanitics eclosed, brood is expanding fast. this queen is incredible.
Great product. Fast ship. Healthy colony.
Excellent value for a colony of this size and health. The worker count exceeded what I anticipated for the price. The workers took to seeds immediately and are already building a small midden.
Competitively priced and the quality delivered matches or exceeds what the cost implies. The workers took to seeds immediately and are already building a small midden.
After seeing positive mentions on several hobby forums, I decided to order. The experience matched the reputation.
first nanitics popped a week after i got her. couldnt be happier with how fast this is going.
the price felt fair and the quality backed it up. no complaints at all.
The seller's communication was excellent throughout. Questions about care were answered thoroughly and professionally.
temperatures were rough this week and i almost cancelled but glad i didnt. they handled the heat well and the colony got here in great shape. These harvesters are little tanks, already stacking seeds in a corner
Shipping during summer is always a risk with live animals, but this seller handled it well. The colony arrived in excellent condition despite the heat. They are strong foragers and started hauling seeds within the first day.
Disappointing. The queen was very sluggish and over half the workers were dead on arrival. She is hanging on but I am not confident. I have contacted the seller.
Colony arrived alive and is settling in nicely, the worker count was slightly below what I anticipated. Overall a strong colony and I would order again.
American Ant Store
Red Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus)
Description
Pogonomyrmex barbatus (Red Harvester Ant)
Pogonomyrmex barbatus, the classic Red Harvester Ant, is one of the most well-known and admired species in North America. Their vibrant red coloration and organized seed-harvesting behavior make them both educational and highly entertaining to watch.
These ants are among the most studied insects in the United States for their intelligence, colony communication, and foraging structure. In captivity, they show the same precision—forming efficient trails, sorting seeds by size, and maintaining clean nest chambers.
Hardy and visually impressive, P. barbatus is perfect for both beginner and experienced keepers who want an iconic, active desert species with strong foraging displays.
Species Info
General:
Iconic red harvester ant known for seed-harvesting and team-based foraging.
Diet:
Mixed seeds, insects, and byFormica Ant Nectar for sugars.
Temperature:
Maintain 78–85°F with dry nests and slight humidity near brood.
Nest:
Sandy or desert-style formicaria with ventilation.
Diapause:
Mild seasonal rest optional.
Growth:
Moderate to fast with regular feeding.
Queen size: 9–11 mm Worker size: 4–7 mm
Note: All ants for sale have a range where the species is native. Always check your local regulations before purchasing live ants.
States Native: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Lousiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah
Learn more: Harvester Ant Care Guide | Ant Feeding Guide
Shipping Information
Shipping happens from Monday-Thursday via UPS Next Day Air. Flat Rate $24.99 Charge. From the moment your order is shipped you can expect to receive them no later than 12pm the following day!
Please note, orders take between 1 to 3 business days to process and ship. If you would like your order to be shipped the same day please email us at support@americanantstore.com with your order number as the subject line and the email text "SHIP TODAY". We will do our best to ensure it goes out the same day!
During the summer ants are shipped with an icepack at no additional charge. The same goes for shipments during winter with a heat pack!
Live Arrival Guarantee
Live Arrival Guarantee
Every colony we ship is backed by our Premium Live Arrival Guarantee. We pack with care so your ants arrive alive, healthy, and ready to thrive.
5-Day Health Guarantee
We proudly offer an industry-leading 5-day health guarantee on all colonies. If your queen or colony declines within this period, we will provide one complimentary replacement, no questions asked.
Simple, Hassle-Free Replacement Process
If an issue occurs, just send clear photo proof within 5 days of delivery and we’ll take care of the rest.
Email: support@americanantstore.com
Live Animal Responsibility
These are live animals. We are not responsible for ants left outside in extreme temperatures, including summer heat or winter cold, or for packages that sit unattended after delivery. Proper and prompt retrieval is essential for their safety.
Commitment to Quality
We take exceptional care in raising, packing, and shipping every colony, and we stand behind the quality of each queen or colony we send out.