Latin name: Novomessor cockerelli

Taxonomy: Subfamily: Myrmicinae

Breeding level: Intermediate

Distribution: Western United States and Mexico.

Residence: Desert

Colony: Monogyne

Queen: Size: 12 - 13mm Color: Black and reddish brown

Worker: Size: 8 - 10mm Color: Black and reddish brown

Soldier: No

Nutrition: mainly seeds, for example millet, alpine and insects eg flies or mealworms

Humidity of the air: Hunting area: 30 - 50% Nest: 50 - 60%

Temperature: Hunting area: 22 - 35 ° C Nest: 24 - 28 ° C

Hibernation: yes, like Mediterranean species for 3 to 4 months at a temperature of 15 to 18 ° C (unheated room)

Nesting form in nature: Builds their nest in soil up to 2 m and several dome exit of 10 cm in height.

Preferred nest type: Plaster tube the first year and after stone nest

Planting in hunting area: similar to desert areas with grass and different cacti

Decoration: Branches, Roots

Description: Desert species from West America that moves very fast, very good hunters that feed mainly insects, honeydew and seeds from time to time.

Swarming: July to August

Foundation: Semi-claustral (must be fed)

Adult colony size: up to 3,000 workers