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 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
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
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
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
A busy nest entrance of Messor andrei harvester ants.

Frank Raines State Park, 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
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
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
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
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
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013