{"product_id":"jet-black-harvester-ant","title":"Jet Black Harvester Ant","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping:\u003c\/strong\u003e UPS\/FedEx 2-Day, $20 flat — free on orders over $120. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/live-arrival-guarantee\"\u003eLive arrival guaranteed\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVeromessor pergandei\u003c\/strong\u003e — the jet-black desert harvester, a glistening, high-gloss black ant native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Famous for spectacular column foraging, where workers stream out in dense moving rivers to gather seeds. Hardy, active, and one of the most rewarding starter harvesters you can keep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou'll receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e a fresh-caught, mated queen with brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFounding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully claustral — though a few seeds never hurt. Often founds in groups (pleometrosis), so this species can be started with multiple queens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e A true granivore — seeds make up the bulk of the diet (dandelion, poppy, bluegrass and more), with the occasional insect for protein.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm and dry, around 79–85°F, with a cooler section for the queen and young brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColony:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steady growers that can reach 500+ workers in a year and many thousands at maturity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSting:\u003c\/strong\u003e None — they can give a light bite, but there is no sting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew to this species?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/care-veromessor-pergandei\"\u003eRead our full Black Harvester care guide →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom their chamber to your door — shipped with care by Royal Chamber Ants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem style=\"color:#9aa6d8;font-size:.85rem;\"\u003eNative range (U.S.): California, Arizona, Nevada.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Chamber Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53052970828081,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0869\/0375\/0961\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_d97c077f-3e88-4b2a-a474-bb68429a6b9c.jpg?v=1772754136","url":"https:\/\/rcants.com\/products\/jet-black-harvester-ant","provider":"Royal Chamber Ants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}