About Novomessor cockerelli
Novomessor cockerelli is a large brown ant with a blackish gaster, long legs, and an elongated head. It can be identified by the two distinct spines on its propodeum. It differs from the closely similar species Novomessor albisetosus in the shape of its head. This species cannot sting, but it is very aggressive and delivers a powerful bite. Novomessor cockerelli occurs in arid regions of the Southwestern United States, including Texas (the Franklin Mountains), New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California. It is also found in northern Mexico, in the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, and Nuevo León. Its typical habitat is upland plains, including desert areas containing ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), cactus, creosote bush, mesquite, sagebrush, and thorn scrub. It lives at altitudes ranging from 518 to 1,877 meters (1,699 to 6,158 feet) above sea level.
