harvester ant

American  

noun

1. any of several red or black ants, especially of the genus Pogonomyrmex, of the southwestern U.S., that feed on and store the seeds of grasses.

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Etymology

Origin of harvester ant

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The giant African harvester ant - or Messor cephalotes - is the largest of its species and can grow to around 20mm, with the queen growing up to 25mm.

From BBC

He does not sell the giant African harvester ant but told the BBC that he is aware of people who try to pass on illegally imported insects.

From BBC

Given these size constraints, harvester ant hills are hot spots for what scientists call microvertebrate fossils, which are animal fossils too small to see without a microscope.

From New York Times

For over a century, scientists like Dr. Hopkins have scraped sediment off the sides of harvester ant hills in search of these fossils, making it easier to find large numbers of fossilized mammal teeth without spending hours in the field sifting through sand and dirt.

From New York Times

The beaver relative, Costepeiromys attasorus, was named in honor of the harvester ant species who discovered it.

From New York Times