Western Harvester Ant

Arid and semi-arid grasslands, shrub-steppes, and deserts of western North America

Primarily granivorous; they collect and store seeds but will also consume insects and nectar

Diurnal foragers that build large, cone-shaped nests covered in gravel or pebbles to regulate temperature. They clear a circular area around the nest and create well-defined foraging trails.

They can deliver a painful sting that may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Beneficially, they aid in seed dispersal and soil aeration; they are also a primary food source for horned lizards.