Arthro-Pod Episode 198: Understanding Harvester Ants with Dr. Joanie King

Michael and Jody speak with Dr. Joanie King to talk about her love of ants, particularly the harvester ants. Discover fascinating insights into harvester ants, their behavior, ecological roles, and ongoing research from an experienced extension entomologist. This episode highlights the complexity of seed foraging, species diversity, and how ants contribute to ecosystems and land management. In this episode: Meet Dr. Joanie King, extension entomologist at New Mexico State University The behavior and role of harvester ants in arid and semi-arid environments How seed preferences vary among different harvester ant species and their impact on restoration efforts Exploring the diversity of harvester ants such as Pogonomyrmex and Novomessor species Techniques for keeping and studying harvester ants in the lab The surprising connections between insects and popular culture, including their representation in films and sci-fi/comic conventions Links and resources: Where to find Joanie King: https://eppws.nmsu.edu/faculty-staff/faculty.html Ask An Entomologist AntWiki - Comprehensive resource for ant taxonomy and behavior AntWeb - High-resolution ant specimen images and IDs Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org. If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review! Thank you so much for listening!