Dorymyrmex insanus

The Dorymyrmex genus contains little brown ants, many of which are about 2 millimeters long. They have the characteristic "Dolichoderine odor" when you squash one of them. The nests are often small dirt cones rising about 3-4 cm up from the ground. They can be quite aggressive ants.  They like to nest in open areas - they are often found nesting in the clearings around Pogonomyrmex (Harvester Ant) nest mounds.

I have an Apple QuickTime video of  Dorymyrmex insanus working on their nest here (860k).

Here is a Dorymyrmex attempting to drag a Pogonomyrmex barbatus back to the nest to eat. This occurred at French Joe Canyon, in Arizona's Whetstone Mountains.

The neat thing about this interaction was that the Pogonomyrmex was really *three* Pogonomyrmex ants.

There was a battle going on between to Pogonmyrmex nests, and these girls were locked in combat. The Dorymyrmex grabbed the lead ant and took dragged them off.

Dorymyrmex ant Cochise Stronghold, in Arizona's Dragoon Mountains. You can just barely see the "cone" on the thorax.

More Dorymyrmex, excavating their nest.

Preserved Dorymyrmex specimens. The vertical lines are spaced one millimeter apart.

Profile of Dorymyrmex. I've drawn a yellow arrow to the "cone" which is diagnostic for the genus.

Closeup of a Dorymyrmex head.

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