Harvester ants is a
common name for any of the
species or
genera of
ants that collect
seeds (called
seed predation), or
mushrooms as in the case of
Euprenolepis procera, which are stored in the nest in communal chambers called
granaries. Seed harvesting by some desert ants is an adaptation to the lack of typical ant resources such as prey or
honeydew from
hemipterans. Harvester ants increase
seed dispersal, protection, and provide nutrients that increase seedling survivorship of the desert plants. In addition, ants provide soil
aeration through the creation of galleries and chambers, mix deep and upper layers of soil, and incorporate organic refuse into the soil.