Novomessor albisetosa
The mass emergence of termites at the start of monsoon season is a bonanza for ants. Here, a Novomessor albisetosa harvester ant adds another captured termite carcass to the food pile. Peña Blanca Lake, Arizona, USA
Harvester ants carry a seed back to their nest. Portal, Arizona, USA
The mass emergence of termites at the start of monsoon season is a bonanza for ants. Here, harvester ants stand guard over their catch. Peña Blanca Lake, Arizona, USA
Nests of the seed-harvesting ant Novomessor albisetosa are large and conspicuous. Green Valley, Arizona, USA
A male harvester ant launches himself on a morning mating flight. Green Valley, Arizona, USA
A young queen harvester ant emerges from the nest on the morning of her mating flight. Green Valley, Arizona, USA
Pogonomyrmex maricopa and Novomessor albisetosa workers, fighting. Resources are scarce in the desert and competition among ants is fierce, leading to frequent conflicts. Green Valley, Arizona, USA
Novomessor cockerelli
Portrait of a harvester ant worker. Laboratory colony at Arizona State University
A harvester ant workers guards the nest. Tucson, Arizona, USA
Novomessor cockerelli, one of the most conspicuous harvester ants of American southwest, carries a mesquite seed back to her nest. Tucson, Arizona, USA
Tucson, Arizona, USA
The large, leggy Novomessor cockerelli is among the most distinctive of the Sonoran desert ants. Tucson, Arizona, USA
Novomessor cockerelli alate queen. Laboratory colony at Arizona State University
