I've observed that nest moving phenomena quite a few times over the last five years, but last year I saw something unique. An older nest was completely taking over a younger one that was about 15 feet away. They were actually stealing the young larva while the small nest workers more or lest stood by. I didn't watch the whole thing unwind but it was food for thought. It made me wonder how many of the "moves" I saw were actually conquests...???
P. Rugosus nests are rarely found within 50 feet of each other. That seems to be about the same for the P. barbatus I've observed here as well.

Regarding the smaller ants, I saw the same thing with P. californicus and brought it up with Gordon Snelling. I thought I had discovered an unknown (to me) species. His thoughts were that it was just a new/young nest. Since then I have found many juv P. rugosus nests and the workers will be less than half the size of older established nests. As you say, great for hatchling food if you can find them.


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