Pogonomyrmex rastratus

Distribution
This taxon was described from Argentina.

Diet
Dietary preferences of these seed harvesting ants have been studied in the Monte Desert (Biosphere Reserve of Ñacuñán ), Argentina (see Pirk et. al 2011). In choice tests this species preferred seeds of grass species to those of forbs and shrub.

Nomenclature

 *  rastratus. Pogonomyrmex rastratus Mayr, 1868b: 171 (w.) ARGENTINA. Mayr, 1887: 611 (m.). Senior synonym of neuquensis, weiseri: Kusnezov, 1951a: 252. Current subspecies: nominal plus pulchellus.
 * neuquensis. Pogonomyrmex weiseri var. neuquensis Santschi, 1922d: 243 (w.) ARGENTINA. Junior synonym of rastratus: Kusnezov, 1951a: 252.
 * weiseri. Pogonomyrmex weiseri Santschi, 1922b: 348 (w.q.m.) ARGENTINA. Junior synonym of rastratus: Kusnezov, 1951a: 252.

Additional References
Pirk, G. I. and J. L. De Casenave. 2011. Seed Preferences of Three Harvester Ants of the Genus Pogonomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Monte Desert: Are They Reflected in the Diet? Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 104:212-220. DOI:10.1603/AN10093