Red harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, at entrance to their nest. Harvester ants can do minor damage to farm crops by cutting down vegetation, particularly that around their nest entrance and along their foraging trails.Red harvester ants appear to be declining in numbers throughout much of their range. This might be partly responsible for the decrease in horned lizards who depend on these ants as a major food source. All species of harvester ants have a very painful sting. This is the most abundant species of harvester ant throughout central Texas. Photo taken Parker Co., TX.