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. 

Palm Desert, California
Messor pergandei harvester ant. This individual was photographed on glass in the studio.

Palm Desert, California
Messor pergandei - harvester ant. 

Palm Desert, California
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 - harvester ant. 

Palm Desert, California
Messor pergandei carrying seeds back to the nest.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
A nest of Messor pergandei.

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
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.

Palm Desert, California
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. 

Palm Desert, California
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.

Palm Desert, California
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013