Pogonomyrmex maricopa, purportedly the animal with the most venomous sting in North America. Tucson, Arizona, USA

Pheidole xerophila is a common small seed harvester in the deserts of the American southwest. Here are major and minor workers along a foraging trail. Mojave National Preserve, California, USA

Minor and supermajor workers of Pheidole rhea, North America's largest Pheidole. This species is a desert seed-harvesting ant. Portal, Arizona, USA