Pogonomyrmex rugosus, the desert harvester ant or rough harvester ant,[2][3] is a species of harvester ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae which is endemic to the southwestern United States,[4] specifically New Mexico[5] and southern Colorado.

[6][7] P. rugosus colonies can grow to have up to 15,000 workers.

[8] P. rugosus workers use group foraging tactics that involve the creation of permanent pathways (trunk trails).

They also use pheromones trails to draw other workers to areas of food-availability.

Instead, they live in the colonies of P. rugosus and Pogonomyrmex barbatus (red harvester ant) and enslave workers to raise reproductive males and females for them.