Novomessor albisetosus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Superfamily: Formicoidea
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Stenammini
Genus: Novomessor
Species: albisetosus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Novomessor albisetosus: //noʊ.voʊˈmɛs.ɔr æl.bɪˈsɛ.tə.səs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution of Novomessor albisetosus by Steve Shattuck. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Aphaenogaster albisetosa casent0102824 dorsal 1 by Jen Fogarty. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Aphaenogaster albisetosa casent0102824 head 1 by April Nobile. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Aphaenogaster albisetosa casent0102824 label 1 by Jen Fogarty. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Novomessor albisetosus, or the desert harvester ant, is a medium-sized species inhabiting desert and woodland areas in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is recognized for its cooperation in foraging and distinct physical characteristics compared to related species.

Physical Characteristics

Medium-sized, measuring 6 to 8.5 millimeters; ferruginous body color, reddish brown legs, brownish black petiole and abdomen, brownish yellow first segment of abdomen. Head longer than wide, clypeus longer than wide.

Identification Tips

Shorter head and subparallel eyes distinguish it from other Novomessor species.

Habitat

Desert, juniper woodland, pine-oak woodland, and riparian woodland/desert scrub. Nests are underground or under stones.

Distribution

Native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, including Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona; found in states of Chihuahua, Durango, and Sonora in Mexico.

Diet

Forages for insect pieces, plant tissues, and fruit. Does not show a preference for seeds.

Life Cycle

Nuptial flights begin in June; workers mature when they spend more than half their time outside the nest.

Reproduction

Nuptial flights occur in June; periods of developing ovaries appear correlated with the age of workers.

Predators

Army ants (Neivamyrmex) prey on this species.

Ecosystem Role

Foraging behavior contributes to the breakdown of plant materials and potential seed dispersal.

Evolution

Originally described as Aphaenogaster albisetosa, later moved to Novomessor; phylogenetic studies confirmed its distinction from Aphaenogaster.

Similar Taxa

Novomessor cockerelli

Misconceptions

Has been considered a forager of seeds, though insect pieces are more commonly collected.