Novomessor cockerelli

Classification

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Novomessor cockerelli: //ˌnoʊvoʊˈmɛsɔr ˌkɒkəˈrɛlaɪ//

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

Images

Aphaenogaster cockerelli castype00622 head 1 by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Aphaenogaster cockerelli castype00622 label 1 by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Aphaenogaster cockerelli castype00622 dorsal 1 by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Aphaenogaster cockerelli casent0005723 label 1 by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Aphaenogaster cockerelli casent0005723 head 1 by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Novomessor cockerelli is a species of ant from the subfamily Myrmicinae, native to arid regions in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It forms underground colonies, is aggressive, and scavenges for food, displaying fascinating social behaviors.

Physical Characteristics

Large brown ant with a blackish gaster, long legs, and an elongated head. It has two distinctive spines on the propodeum. Cannot sting but has a powerful bite.

Identification Tips

Recognized by its size, color, two distinctive spines on the propodeum, and the shape of its head, distinguishing it from Novomessor albisetosus.

Habitat

Upland plains in arid areas including desert regions with ocotillo, cactus, creosote bush, mesquite, sagebrush, and thorn scrub, at altitudes between 518 and 1,877 m (1,699 and 6,158 ft) above sea level.

Distribution

Southwestern United States including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, and northern Mexico (states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, and Nuevo León).

Diet

Forages for seeds, plant material, and dead insects; nearly half the diet consists of corpses of insects scavenged around carcasses.

Life Cycle

Colonies are typically founded by a single queen that maintains reproductive control through chemical signals, preventing other ants from laying viable eggs. Mating occurs during nuptial flights in July at dusk.

Reproduction

Each colony has a single queen; workers lay trophic eggs for the queen to consume. New queens must establish new nests after mating and are not allowed into the established nests.

Ecosystem Role

Plays a role in seed dispersal and nutrient cycling through scavenging and foraging behavior.

Similar Taxa

Novomessor albisetosus