Messor barbarus is a harvester ant.
The colony is subterranean, with opening directly to the surface.
This species is often found in open areas and near roadsides.
These ants store seeds in dry conditions to avoid germination.
Ants cut and carry large seeds by moving slowly on long, seed-carrying runs.
Seeds can be taken several metres from the colony.
We found this colony in Villafáfila, Castile and Leon, Spain, near a dry lagoon.
(Sources: Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia)