Veromessor
Images of Veromessor harvester ants in Arizona, USA. More coming soon!
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Read MoreScroll down PAST BOTTOM OF PAGE for complete image description, and CLICK large image to make it even LARGER...
***There may be multiple image pages; use red page/image controls below to see them all!***
Veromessor pergandei
● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps » ● 11/06/10 9:33AM sunny, air temp: 23°C / 73°F
[IMAGE 2 of 3] The spider was located about 30° to the east of the main foraging column of V. pergandei ants. This allowed the predator to sit and wait for the occasional nest maintenance worker to wander by. Here a worker approaches the spider, seemingly unaware of the danger. [scroll down for additional notes/references]
ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:
This spider's coloration was an almost exact match with the grass debris surrounding the Messor pergandei nest. It is tempting to think that this very effective camouflage aided the predator by allowing it to escape being seen by the ants (who would then presumably avoid, or attack it). Because ants communicate chemically, and rely to a very small extent on their poorly developed visual sense, the spider's ability to blend in probably afforded it no (or very little) advantage in capturing these ants. The true benefit of being camouflaged was most likely the spider's ability to avoid being eaten itself, by larger predators such as birds, or insects.
