Messor aciculatus

This species nests in bare areas near standing grasses and in open grasslands. Its nests open directly at the ground surface. Underground there is a nearly vertical shaft and many chambers; total nest depth may be up to 4 meters. In Japan, this species is known to be winter-active (Hosoishi et al., 2019) and in autumn workers collect grass seeds. Foraging workers show individual site tenacity: each returning repeatedly to search a particular area, though foraging methods vary according to food conditions. Winged sexuals fly from April to May (Onoyama, 1981a). The number of larval instars is three (Onoyama, 1981; Onoyama, 1982a). Chromosomal number 2n=44 (Imai & Yosida, 1965). In Japan Messor aciculatus is distributed from Iwate Prefecture to Yaku Island. It is also found widely on the Asian continent (Onoyama, 1981). (Japanese Ant Image Database)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation.

Biology
Hosoishi et al. (2019) examined winter foraging activity in western Japan. They found foraging activity was generally low, except during relatively warm periods when the surface ground temperature was above 6–7°C or soil temperature was above 4–5°C. Tetramorium tsushimae, Messor aciculatus and Pheidole nodus were the most abundant in the open land type, whereas Nylanderia flavipes, Pheidole nodus and Crematogaster osakensis were the most abundant in the forest type.

Nomenclature

 * . Aphaenogaster aciculata Smith, F. 1874: 405 (w.q.) JAPAN.
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated), 1 (?) syntype queen.
 * Type-locality: Japan: Hiogo (G. Lewis).
 * Type-depository: BMNH.
 * [Misspelled as acciculatus by Pisarski, 1969a: 227, Pisarski, 1969b: 295.]
 * Imai, 1966: 119 (k.); Onoyama, 1982a: 325 (l.); Kupyanskaya, 1990: 122 (m.).
 * Combination in Stenamma (Messor): Forel, 1901h: 60;
 * combination in Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma): Emery, 1921f: 57;
 * combination in Messor: Forel, 1922: 93.
 * Status as species: Mayr, 1879: 670; Dalla Torre, 1893: 98; Wheeler, W.M. 1906c: 315; Emery, 1908c: 336; Yano, 1910: 420; Emery, 1921f: 57; Wheeler, W.M. 1928c: 9; Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 107; Wheeler, W.M. 1929f: 2; Wheeler, W.M. 1930h: 63; Teranishi, 1940: 13; Azuma, 1951: 87; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 131, 136 (combinations in Aphaenogaster and Messor, respectively); Azuma, 1953: 2; Pisarski, 1969a: 227; Pisarski, 1969b: 295; Collingwood, 1976: 303; Arnol’di, 1977b: 1645 (in key); Azuma, 1977: 113; Onoyama, 1980: 197; Ogata, 1991b: 88; Wu, J. & Wang, 1992: 1305; Morisita, et al. 1992: 20; Bolton, 1995b: 252; Wu, J. & Wang, 1995: 98; Tang, J., Li, et al. 1995: 53; Park & Kim, 2000: 109; Imai, et al. 2003: 160; Radchenko, 2005b: 136; Pfeiffer, et al. 2007: 4; Terayama, 2009: 170; He & Song, 2009: 722; Guénard & Dunn, 2012: 44.
 * Senior synonym of brunneicorne: Yano, 1910: 420; Wheeler, W.M. 1928c: 9 (in text); Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 107 (in text); Arnol’di, 1977b: 1645 (in key); Onoyama, 1980: 197; Bolton, 1995b: 252; Park & Kim, 2000: 109; Imai, et al. 2003: 160.
 * Senior synonym of lobulifera: Wheeler, W.M. 1928c: 9 (in text); Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 107 (in text); Wheeler, W.M. 1930h: 63; Arnol’di, 1977b: 1645 (in key); Bolton, 1995b: 252; Tang, J., Li, et al. 1995: 53; Imai, et al. 2003: 160.
 * Distribution: China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia, Taiwan.
 * Current subspecies: nominal plus risianus.
 * brunneicorne. Stenamma (Messor) aciculatum var. brunneicorne Forel, 1901h: 60 (w.) JAPAN.
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
 * Type-locality: Japan: Hozuyama, Kuwadagori Tamba (no collector’s name).
 * Type-depository: in Hamburg Museum, probably destroyed in World War II.
 * Combination in Messor: Emery, 1908e: 459.
 * Subspecies of aciculatus: Wheeler, W.M. 1906c: 315.
 * Status as species: Emery, 1908e: 459; Emery, 1921f: 73; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 137.
 * Junior synonym of aciculatus: Yano, 1910: 420; Wheeler, W.M. 1928c: 9 (in text); Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 107 (in text); Arnol’di, 1977b: 1645 (in key); Onoyama, 1980: 197; Bolton, 1995b: 253; Park & Kim, 2000: 109; Imai, et al. 2003: 160.
 * lobulifera. Messor barbarus var. lobulifera Emery, 1901i: 159 (w.) MONGOLIA.
 * Type-material: 4 syntype workers.
 * Type-locality: Mongolia: Burgaltai (J. Gróf?).
 * Type-depository: HNHM.
 * [Misspelled as lobifer by Santschi, 1925f: 83, Menozzi, 1930d: 329.]
 * Santschi, 1925f: 93 (q.m.); Santschi, 1928b: 31 (q.m.).
 * Status as species: Ruzsky, 1905b: 739; Emery, 1908e: 459; Ruzsky, 1915a: 443; Wheeler, W.M. 1921c: 535; Emery, 1921f: 74; Wheeler, W.M. 1923b: 1; Santschi, 1925f: 83, 93; Wheeler, W.M. 1927d: 2; Wheeler, W.M. 1927e: 1; Santschi, 1928b: 31; Menozzi, 1930d: 329; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 137.
 * Junior synonym of aciculatus: Wheeler, W.M. 1928c: 9 (in text); Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 107 (in text); Wheeler, W.M. 1930h: 63; Arnol’di, 1977b: 1645 (in key); Bolton, 1995b: 255; Tang, J., Li, et al. 1995: 53; Imai, et al. 2003: 160.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Choi B.-M. 1987. Taxonomic study on ants (Formicidae) in Korea (1). On the genus Monomorium. Journal of the Institute of Science Education (Cheongju National Teachers' College) 11:17-30.
 * Choi B.M. 1986. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea. Journal of Chongju National Teacher College 23: 317-386.
 * Choi B.M. 1988. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (5) Ant fauna in Is. Kanghwado. Chongju Sabom Taehak Nonmunjip (Journal of Chongju National Teacher' College) 25: 217-231.
 * Choi B.M. 1996. Distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (16) - Ant fauna from Chollabukdo. Korean J. Soil. Zoology 1(1): 5-23.
 * Choi B.M. 1996. Distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (16): Ant fauna from Chollabukdo. Korean Journal of Soil Zoology 1(1): 5-23.
 * Choi B.M. 1998. Distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (19) Ants fauna from Chungcheongbukdo Province. Cheongju Tea. Coll. 35: 213-266.
 * Choi B.M., Bang, J.R. 1992. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (9). Ant fauna in Mt. Togyusan. Korean Journal of Applied Entomology 31:101-112.
 * Choi B.M., K. Ogata, and M. Terayama. 1993. Comparative studies of ant faunas of Korea and Japan. 1. Faunal comparison  among islands of Southern Korean and northern Kyushu, Japan. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 48(1): 37-49.
 * Choi B.M., Kim, C.H., Bang, J.R. 1993. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (13). A checklist of ants from each province (Do), with taxonomic notes. Cheongju Sabom Taehakkyo Nonmunjip (Journal of Cheongju National University of Education) 30: 331-380.
 * Choi B.M., and J. R. Bang. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (12): the analysis of ant communities in 23 islands. Journal of Cheongju National University of Education 30:317-330.
 * Collingwood C. A. 1976. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from North Korea. Annales Historico-Naturales Musei Nationalis Hungarici 68:
 * Eto S., and K. Ogata. 1983. Ants of Hirado Island, Kyushu. Bulletin of the Nagasaki Prefecture Biological Group 25: 7-11.
 * Guo X., Q. Lin, J. Cui, D. Gao, S. Xu, and Z. Sheng. 2014. Biodiversity and spatial distribution patterns of ant species in tea gardens of Chongqing. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1011.2014.31052
 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Ha S.J, S.J. Park, and B.J. Kim. 2002. Comparative ant faunas between Seonyudo and seven other islands of West Sea in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology 32(2): 75-79.
 * Harada Y. 1997. Ants from the Koshiki islands, Kagoshima-ken, southern Japan. Ari 21: 1-4.
 * Harada Y. 2000. Ant fauna of the forest floor of the Koshikijima Islands, Kagoshima-ken, southern Japan. Ari 24: 4-11.
 * Harada Y. 2008. Ant fauna of Joyama Park, Ijuin-cho, Kagoshima-ken, southern Japan. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 63: 87-96.
 * Harada Y., H. Yadori, M. Yoneda, R. Takinami, K. Nagahama, Y. Matsumoto, A. Oyama, S. Maeda, and S. Yamane. 2009. Ant fauna of Tanegashima (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Nankiseibutu, the Nanki Biological Society 51(1): 15-21.
 * Harada Y., K. Nishikubo, K. Matsumoto, M. Matsuda, Y. Inazawa, Y. Ozono, S. Koto, N. Kawaguchi, and S. Yamane. 2011. Ant fauna of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) forests in southwestern Japan. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 66: 115-127.
 * He D.-H., and L. Song. 2009. A taxon of the ant genus Messor Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from China, with description of two new species in desert region. Highlights of Sciencepaper Online 2: 720-725.
 * Hosoichi S., M. M. Rahman, T. Murakami, S. H. Park, Y. Kuboki, and K. Ogata. 2019. Winter activity of ants in an urban area of western Japan. Sociobiology 66(3): 414-419.
 * Hosoichi S.. 2014. Additional records of Messor aciculatus F. Smith and Myrmecina flava Terayama from Nokonoshima Island. Pulex 93: 646-647.
 * Hosoishi S., M. Yoshimura, Y. Kuboki, and K. Ogata. 2007. Ants from Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Ari 30: 47-54.
 * Huang Jian-hua, Zhou Shan-yi. 2007. A checklist of family Formicidae of China - Myrmicinae (Part II) (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Journal of Guangxi Normal University : Natural Science Edition 25(1): 91-99.
 * Kawahara Y., S. Hosoyamada, and S. Yamane. 1999. Ant fauna of the Terayama Station for Education and Research on Nature, Kagoshima University. Bulletin of the Faculty of Education, Kagoshima University. Natural Science 50: 147-156.
 * Kim B., Ryu D., Park S., and J. Kim. 1994. Systematic study on ants from coasts of Korean Peninsula (Hym: Formicidae). Korean journal of entomology 24: 293-309.
 * Kim B.J. 1996. Synonymic list and distribution of Formicidae (Hymenoptera) in Korea. Entomological Research Bulletin Supplement 169-196.
 * Kim B.J.; Kim, K.G.; Lim, K.H. 1993. Systematic study of ants from Chejudo province. Korean Journal of Entomology 23: 117-48
 * Kim K.I., C.H. Kim, and B. Choi. 1989. The ant fauna of the southern shore in Gyeongsangnamdo, Korea. Journal of Gyeongsang Nat. Univ. 28(2): 213-226.
 * Kim et al. 1993. Systematic study of ants from Chejudo Province. Koran Journal of Entomology 23(3): 117-141.
 * Lelej A. S. 2012. Annotated catalogue of the Insects of Russian Far East. Volume 1. Hymenoptera. Dalnauka: Vladivostok. 635 p.
 * Li Z.h. 2006. List of Chinese Insects. Volume 4. Sun Yat-sen University Press
 * Lyu D.P. 2003. Systematics of Myrmicinae from Korea (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). PhD thesis Faculty of the Graduate School of Chungbuk National University 330 pages.
 * Maekawa. N. 1986. Data on the colony foundation of Messor aciculatus SMITH by dealated females. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 14: 8
 * Menozzi C. 1940. Contribution à la faune myrmécologique du Japon. Mushi. 13: 11-12.
 * Minato M., T. Kameyama, F. Ito, and T. Itino. 1996. A preliminary report of ant fauna in Gagawa Prefecture. Ari 20: 9-13.
 * Mizota K. 2002. A check list of insects in Kinkazan Island, Miyagi Pref., Northeastern Japan: A bibliographical Survey. Bulletin of Miyagi University of Education Environmental Education 5: 69-78.
 * Mizuno A., and K. Abe. 2007. Report of nest structure and seed harvesting in Japanese harvest ant Messor aciculatus. Ari 29: 11-24.
 * Negoro H. 1994. Ants from Toyama Prefecture, Hokuriku. Bulletin of the Toyama Science Museum 17: 35-47.
 * Ogata. K., Touyama, Y. and Choi, B. M. 1994. Ant fauna of Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 18: 18-25
 * Onoyama K. 1982. Immature stages of the harvester ant Messor aciculatus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Kontyû 50: 324-329.
 * Paik W.H. 1984. A checklist of Formicidae (Hymenoptera) of Korea. Korean J. Plant Prot. 23(3): 193-195.
 * Park S. J., and B. J. Kim. 2000. Systematic study of Pheidolini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology 30: 107-114.
 * Park S.J., and B.J. Kim. 2002. Faunal comparison of ants among Cheongsando and other islands of South Sea in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology 32(1): 7-12.
 * Park, Seong, Joon and Byung, and Kim, Jin. 2002. Faunal Comparison of Ants among Cheongsando and Other Islands of South Sea in Korea. Korean Jornal of Entomology. 32(1):7-12.
 * Pisarski B. 1969. Fourmis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) de la Mongolie. Fragmenta Faunistica (Warsaw). 15: 221-236.
 * Radchenko, A. 2005. Monographic revision of the ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of North Korea. Annales Zoologici 55(2): 127-221.
 * Sakai H. 2002. Reproductive flight season of Japanese ants. Ari 26: 33-39.
 * Santschi F. 1925. Contribution à la faune myrmécologique de la Chine. Bulletin de la Société Vaudoise des Sciences Naturelles 56: 81-96.
 * Santschi F. 1928. Nouvelles fourmis de Chine et du Turkestan Russe. Bulletin et Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique. 68: 31-46.
 * Sato T., N. Tsurusaki, K. Hamaguchi, and K. Kinomura. 2010. Ant fauna of Tottori prefecture, Honshu, Japan. Bulletin of the Tottori Prefectural Museum 47: 27-44.
 * Shimana Y., and S. Yamane. 2009. Geogrpahical distribution of Technomyrmex brunneus Forel (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in the western part of the mainland of Kagoshima, South Kyushu, Japan. Ari 32: 9-19.
 * Smith F. 1863. Catalogue of hymenopterous insects collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace in the islands of Mysol, Ceram, Waigiou, Bouru and Timor. Journal and Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. Zoology 7: 6-48.
 * So, Ha, Seong, Jin, Park, Joon and Byung, and Kim, Jin. 2002. Comparitive Ant Faunas between Seonyudo and Seven other Islands of West Sea in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology. 32:75-79.
 * Tang J., Li S., Huang E., Zhang B. and Chen Y.. 1995. Hymenoptera: Formicidae (1). Economic Insect Fauna of China 47: 1-133.
 * Terayama M. 1977. Checklist of the known ants of Saitama Prefecture. Insects and nature 12(4): 26-27
 * Terayama M. 1983. Kagoshima-ken-hondo no ari. Kanagawa-chucho (Journal of the Kanagawa Entomologists Association): 13-24.
 * Terayama M. 1992. Structure of ant communities in East Asia. A. Regional differences and species richness. Bulletin of the Bio-geographical Society of Japan 47: 1-31.
 * Terayama M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University. Liberal Arts 17:81-266.
 * Terayama M., Choi, B.M., Kim, C.H. 1992. A check list of ants from Korea, with taxonomic notes. Bulletin of the Toho Gakuen 7:19-54.
 * Terayama M., K. Ogata, and B.M. Choi. 1994. Distribution records of ants in 47 prefectures of Japan. Ari (report of the Myrmecologists Society of Japan) 18: 5-17.
 * Terayama M., S. Kubota, and K. Eguchi. 2014. Encyclopedia of Japanese ants. Asakura Shoten: Tokyo, 278 pp.
 * Terayama Mamoru. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta, Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
 * Terayama, M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta; Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
 * Teruyama. M. 1988. Ant fauna of Saitama Prefecture, Japan. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 16: 4-13
 * Wheeler W. M. 1921. Chinese ants. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 64: 529-547.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1928. Ants collected by Professor F. Silvestri in Japan and Korea. Bollettino del Laboratorio di Zoologia Generale e Agraria della Reale Scuola Superiore d'Agricoltura. Portici 22: 96-125.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1930. A list of the known Chinese ants. Peking Natural History Bulletin 5: 53-81.
 * Yamaguchi. T. 1994. Intraspecific interference competition in the harvester ant, Messor aciculatus. Abstracts of papers presented at 34th Annual Meeting of the Myrmecological Society of Japan held on August 19th to 23th, 1991, at the Ginowan Seminar House, Okinawa Prefecture. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 18: 34-35
 * Yamane S. 2019. Seasonal change in the foraging activity of ants in a residential area of mainland Kagoshima, Southwest Japan (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Nature of Kagoshima 45: 361–366.
 * Yamane S. 2019. Seasonal change in the foraging activity of ants in a residential area of mainland Kagoshima, Southwest Japan (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Nature of Kagoshima 45: 361–366.
 * Yamane S., Y. Harada and M. Yano. 1985. Ant fauna of Tanega-shima Island, the northern Ryukyus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Mem. Kagoshima Univ. Res. Center S. Pac. 6(1): 166-173.
 * Yamane S., Y. Harada, and K. Eguchi. 2013. Classification and ecology of ants. Natural history of ants in Southern Kyushu. 200 pages
 * Yamane S.; Ikudome, S.; Terayama, M. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp138-317.