The western harvester ant is one of the most common and widespread ant species in North America, ranging from Canada to southern Arizona and from Kansas to Nevada. This ant is known for its large nest mounds, which are a prominent feature of desert grassland habitats. For the past 33 years, Blaine Cole has been studying a significant population of this ant species in Western Colorado. This Speaker Series presentation focuses on two key aspects of the ant's life cycle. First, we will explore how the production of a new queen leads to the formation of a new colony. Then, we will examine the factors that determine whether a colony will survive and mature into a reproductive colony that can last for decades. Join us to learn more about these fascinating aspects of the western harvester ant's life cycle and discover what contributes to the long life spans of certain colonies.

*The event is free, but space is limited, and registration is required to attend. The talk will be live-streamed to our YouTube Channel for those unable to attend in person.