Veromessor pergandei facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Messor pergandei |
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| M. pergandei worker from the United States | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Veromessor
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| Species: |
pergandei
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The Veromessor pergandei is a type of harvester ant that lives in the Southwestern United States. You can find them especially in the deserts of southeastern California. They also live in the Baja California peninsula in Mexico. This ant was first described by Gustav Mayr in 1886. People sometimes call them the black harvester ant or desert harvester ant. But remember, these names can also be used for other ant species!
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Meet the Desert Harvester Ant
These ants are known for their unique look. They have a head that is about as long as it is wide. Their mandibles, which are like their jaws, are very large. They also have short, light-colored hairs that can be white or yellow. A big thorax, which is the middle part of their body, is another key feature.
How Big Are They?
Male Veromessor pergandei ants are usually about 8.5 mm (0.33 in) long. Female ants are a bit bigger, typically around 10 mm (0.39 in). However, the size of an individual ant can change. It often depends on how much food is available to them. It can also depend on how many other ants are competing for resources in their area.
Who Named This Ant?
This ant species was named after an American scientist named Theodore Pergande. He studied ants, and the name pergandei honors his work.
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A nest mound built by Veromessor pergandei ants.
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A close-up of a worker ant.
What Do These Ants Eat?
Like other harvester ants, Veromessor pergandei ants are busy gatherers. They collect fruits and seeds to bring back to their nest for food. This is how they get their "harvester" name!
Favorite Foods
Their diet includes seeds from many different plants. They especially like the seeds from perennial shrubs. Two of their favorite plants are the Larrea tridentata, also known as the creosote bush, and Ambrosia dumosa, which is called burrobrush. These plants are common in the desert areas where the ants live.
See also
In Spanish: Messor pergandei para niños
