Novomessor albisetosus (Long-Legged Desert Ant)

Novomessor albisetosus — a striking long-legged desert harvester and close cousin to cockerelli, named for the fine pale hairs that catch the light across its body. Quick, hardy, and a cooperative forager, it builds into an active, rewarding colony that never seems to sit still.

• You'll receive: a fresh-caught, mated queen with brood.
• Founding: Fully claustral — though she readily takes food if offered.
• Diet: An omnivorous harvester — seeds plus generous insect protein; an enthusiastic feeder.
• Growth: Fast — colonies build quickly with warmth and steady feeding.
• Range: Deserts and grasslands of the southwestern U.S.
• Difficulty: Intermediate — hardy, but fast-growing and hungry.
• Sting: No potent sting — quick to bite, but without the venom of Pogonomyrmex.

New here? Read our Long-Legged Harvester care guide →

From their chamber to your door — shipped with care by Royal Chamber Ants.