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Red Harvester Ant Mating Swarms

Like other ant species, red harvester ants are divided into castes within their colonies. Worker ants are sterile females who forage for food as their primary responsibility. Male ants exist for the sole purpose of reproduction and die soon after the mating swarm. The fertilized females establish colonies.

During red harvester ant mating swarms, winged males and females emerge from their colonies. They are attracted to each other by pheromones. After mating, the mated females shed their wings and establish new nesting sites. One colony can live up to 20 years.

Red harvester ant mating swarms occur annually in warm environments and at elevated heights. Red harvester ants are most active in temperatures of 35 to 40ºC, and mating swarms typically occur in the afternoon after rainfall or heavy storms. In the United States, winged reproductive adults are seen throughout May, while mating flights begin in June. Although mating swarms occur between June and October, they are most common in the months of August and September. Red harvester ant mating swarms take place within a single day. 

The swarming behavior of red harvester ants is commonly synchronized with nearby colonies. For this reason, it is common to witness large numbers of winged ants appearing in one area. Red harvester ants participate in "hill-topping," gathering around prominent points within a landscape--such as tall trees, chimneys and towers--while searching for mates. The U.S. West Tower in Denver is a famous hill-topping location for red harvester ants: millions of ants congregate in this area each year.

While red harvester ants are known to dwell primarily outdoors, winged ants can infest homes during swarming periods.

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