Messor pergandei seed-harvesting ants, with seeds. Colonies of this species contain worker ants of different sizes, while most other seed harvesters in the Mojave desert have monomorphic workers. Anza Borrego Desert, 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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A nest of Messor pergandei.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA

Messor pergandei carrying seeds back to the nest.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA

Messor pergandei is among the most commonly seen seed harvesting ants in southern California. Colonies of this species contain worker ants of different sizes, while most other seed harvesters in the region have monomorphic workers. Here, a major worker carries a seed back to the nest.

Anza Borrego Desert, California, USA

Messor pergandei seed-harvesting ants, with seeds. Colonies of this species contain worker ants of different sizes, while most other seed harvesters in the Mojave desert have monomorphic workers.

Anza Borrego Desert, California, USA

Harvester ants do not feed on seeds alone. Here, Messor pergandei workers have discovered a dessicated caterpillar carcass. Note the size difference among the workers.

Anza Borrego Desert, California, USA

Messor pergandei workers remove an unwanted queen from their nest. She may be an old queen who has ceased laying or a young rival to the dominant queen.

Afton Canyon, California, USA

Messor pergandei harvester ant. This individual was photographed on glass in the studio.

Palm Desert, California

Messor pergandei harvester ant. The large heads of major workers house muscles for milling seeds.

Palm Desert, California, USA

Messor pergandei harvester ant. Many ant species that live in arid regions have a psammophore, a basket of hairs on the underside of the head that helps transport dry sand.

Palm Desert, California, USA

Messor pergandei seed-harvesting ants, with seeds. Colonies of this species contain worker ants of different sizes, while most other seed harvesters in the Mojave desert have monomorphic workers.

Anza Borrego Desert, California, USA

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Keywords: white ant ants insect insects hymenoptera formicidae myrmicinae harvester ants polymorphism worker ants granivory seed harvesting messor pergandei veromessor pergandei granivores black desert ants

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Messor

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