Predatory Euryopis spiders snatch foraging harvester ants and drag them up grass blades to feed. Here, a spider consumes a worker Messor pergandei. Mojave National Preserve, California, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Messor

is a heterogenous genus of myrmicine harvester ants found in arid regions in North America, Africa, and Eurasia.

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Messor decipiens. The massive head of this harvester ant major is used for crushing the seeds that form a portion of these ants' diet.

Sabi Sands, South Africa

Messor andrei worker, with larvae.

Jasper Ridge, California, USA

On a cold spring day, Messor andrei harvester ants cluster around their nest entrance to warm up in the sun before heading out to forage.

Frank Raines State Park, California, USA

A busy nest entrance of Messor andrei harvester ants.

Frank Raines State Park, California, USA

Messor lariversi carrying a seed back to her nest. Night-active species are often lighter in color than their day-active counterparts.

Sand Springs Dune, Nevada, USA

Messor lariversi. Harvester ants are not strictly seed-eaters, and they will scavenge dead insects when they can. Here, a nocturnal harvester ant has discovered the carcass of an aquatic corixid bug.

Sand Springs Dune, Nevada, USA

Messor pergandei harvester ant. Many desert species have a 'psammophore'- a basket of long hairs under the head- enabling the ants to carry dry sand. This individual was photographed on glass in the studio.

Palm Desert, California

Predatory Euryopis spiders snatch foraging harvester ants and drag them up grass blades to feed. Here, a spider consumes a worker Messor pergandei.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA

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Keywords: spider predation hymenoptera ecology mojave desert formicidae myrmicinae euryopis messor pergandei veromessor pergandei dead ant ant death predatory spiders

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Messor

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