Novomessor cockerelli

Identification
Large, elongate species with long legs and two well-developed spines on the propodeum. Its elongate head usually distinguishes it from the closely related Aphaenogaster albisetosa, although the two species can be difficult to separate.

Distribution
United States: southern CA, NV, AZ, TX, NM. MEXICO: Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, and Nuevo Leon.

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

Biology
Nests are usually found in the soil with the entrance surrounded by a circle of pebbles. Even nests under stones usually have the entrance surrounded by pebbles. Most nests are found in rocky soil, although they may nest in sandy soils, even dunes. Individual foragers are usually found during early morning and late afternoon or evening, and occasionally during the night. Foraging occurs throughout the day during the cool. part of the year or even on cloudy days during the summer. These ants are omnivorous. Prey usually consists of dead or dying insects, parts of plants and seeds. This species is very aggressive but cannot sting. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Nomenclature

 *  cockerelli. Aphaenogaster (Ischnomyrmex) cockerelli André, 1893b: 150 (w.) MEXICO. Wheeler, W.M. & Creighton, 1934: 350 (q.m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1960b: 10 (l.). Combination in Stenamma (Ischnomyrmex): Forel, 1901c: 128; in Novomessor: Emery, 1915d: 73; in Aphaenogaster: Brown, 1974b: 47. Senior synonym of sonorae: Wheeler, W.M. & Creighton, 1934: 352. See also: Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1972b: 239; Hölldobler, Stanton & Engel, 1976: 32; Hölldobler, Stanton & Markl, 1978: 163; Smith, D.R. 1979: 1360; Bolton, 1982: 340.
 * sonorae. Aphaenogaster sonorae Pergande, 1893: 34 (w.) MEXICO. Combination in Novomessor: Emery, 1915d: 73. Junior synonym of cockerelli: Wheeler, W.M. & Creighton, 1934: 352.