Veromessor lariversi

Wheeler and Wheeler (1986) - V. lariversi nests in exposed sandy areas with mixed vegetation. The nest is surmounted by a cluster of craters 8-13 cm in diameter. The workers are nocturnal, soft-bodied, slow-gaited, and timid. "One very populous colony, comprising more than 1,000 workers, was studied. The nest was on a slight slope, covered an area of about four square meters, and was marked by nine, small, uncovered entrances without surrounding craters. The galleries formed a labyrinth in the very hot, dry compact sand and extended to chambers approximately twenty-two inches from the soil surface" (Cole, 1955:51).

Identification Keys including this Taxon
Key to Veromessor species

Distribution
Nevada and eastern California.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.



Biology
Nevada, Wheeler and Wheeler (1986) - We have 54 records from 34 localities in the southern, western, and northwestern parts of the state; the distribution is sporadic but the species may be locally very abundant; 2,600-7,000 ft. Three records are from the Hot Desert and 31 from the Cool Desert (12 of these from Sarcobatus Subclimax and 15 from disturbed areas). Nearly all nests were in sandy soil. Craters (Fig. 23) were 5-10 cm in diameter; half-craters (as common as craters) were mostly 8 cm in diameter. In 1 nest we found Puto sp. probably atriplicis McKenzie (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae; det. D.R. Miller, 1972) 12 mi. N Gerlach (Washoe Co.) 4,100 ft.

Nomenclature

 *  lariversi. Veromessor lariversi Smith, M.R. 1951c: 94 (w.) U.S.A. Cole, 1955c: 52 (q.); Cole, 1963: 680 (m.). Combination in Messor: Bolton, 1982: 341; in Veromessor: Ward et al., 2014: 13.