Novomessor albisetosus

Nests are usually found under stones with the entrance surrounded by gravel. These ants are very aggressive, although they cannot sting, their bite is irritating. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
USA: TX, AZ, NM. Mexico: Chihuahua.

This taxon was described from the United States.

Nomenclature

 *  albisetosa. Aphaenogaster albisetosa Mayr, 1886d: 446 (w.) U.S.A. Wheeler, W.M. & Creighton, 1934: 350 (q.m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1953b: 70 (l.). Combination in Stenamma (Aphaenogaster): Emery, 1895c: 306; in Novomessor: Emery, 1915d: 73; in Aphaenogaster: Brown, 1974b: 47. Senior synonym of minor Enzmann: Brown, 1949a: 49. See also: Hölldobler, Stanton & Engel, 1976: 32; Hölldobler, Stanton & Markl, 1978: 163; Smith, D.R. 1979: 1360; Bolton, 1982: 340.
 * minor. Novomessor cockerelli var. minor Enzmann, J. 1947b: 148, pl. 8 (w.) U.S.A. [Unresolved junior secondary homonym of Aphaenogaster minor André, 1883b: 355, above.] Junior synonym of albisetosa: Brown, 1949a: 49.