Aphaenogaster albisetosa harvester ants carry a seed back to their nest. Portal, Arizona, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography - Insect Pictures

Ants of the North American Deserts

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A desert leafcutter, Acromyrmex versicolor, carrying a leaf back to her nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Male leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex versicolor) lek above the desert floor, awaiting virgin queens who fly into the swarm to mate. This species flies during the Arizona summer monsoon season, early in the morning after a soaking rain.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

After mating, a young leafcutter ant queen sheds her wings. Acromyrmex versicolor.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Harvester ants (Aphaenogaster cockerelli) tear apart a queen leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex versicolor) they have caught after a leafcutter mating flight. Ants won't often eat members of their own species, but they will happily consume ants of other species.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Acromyrmex versicolor desert leafcutter ant nest in an urban setting.

Green Valley, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster cockerelli, one of the most conspicuous harvester ants of American southwest, carries a mesquite seed back to her nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster cockerelli, guarding the nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster albisetosa harvester ants carry a seed back to their nest.

Portal, Arizona, USA

Pogonomyrmex maricopa and Aphaenogaster albisetosa workers, fighting. Resources are scarce in the desert and competition among ants is fierce, leading to frequent conflicts.

Green Valley, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster albisetosa harvester ants carry a seed back to their nest.

Portal, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster albisetosa harvester ants carry a seed back to their nest.

Portal, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster albisetosa harvester ants carry a seed back to their nest.

Portal, Arizona, USA

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Keywords: desert ants insect insects harvester hymenoptera formicidae myrmicinae harvester ants granivore aphaenogaster novomessor granivory aphaenogaster albisetosa

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