Messor barbarus – harvester ant

Leírás

Very spectacular ant species, and also easy to keep, recommend for beginners.  Polymorph species, they have minor media and major workers. They eat all kind of seeds, like: wheat, sesame, millet, oat, barley, grass seed, poppy seed, etc. They prefer walnut much! Because of they nutrition and low moist-demand, Messor a very clean species to keep in captivity. They sensitive for vibration and strong lights.

Colonyform:                    monogyne, polymorph
Queen:                               15 – 18 mm / black with brown or red head
Worker:                             3 – 14 mm / shiny black
Nutrition:                         seeds and insects
Arena humidity:            30 – 50%
Nest humidity:               50 – 70%
Arena temperature:     23 – 30°C
Nest temperature:        21 – 26°C
Hibernation:                  yes, 3 months  at 10 – 15°C 
Founding:                       claustral (without feeding) 
Colonysize:                     up to 10.000 workers

For beginners:        ★★★★★