Information type
Messor barbarus is also called the harvester ants because it's known for accepting various types of seeds and grinding them into a paste, which it then feeds to the larvae and the queen. They are relatively easy-going and undemanding, making them an ideal species for patient beginners.
Specifications :
Scientific name: Messor barbarus
Dutch name: Harvester ant
Distribution area: Mediterranean region, mainly southern Europe
Colour of the ant: black with a reddish head, in the case of the redhead ant a bright red head with a red glow on the gaster.
Difficulty level: 1/5
Queen size: 14-16 mm
Worker size: 3-8 mm
Soldier size: 8-15 mm
Temperature: 20 to 29 degrees
Optimal temperature: 26-28 degrees
nest humidity: 50 to 75%
outside humidity: 30 to 50%
Winter rest: from November to February at 15 degrees
Growth rate: 2/5
Growing to number of workers: +- 10,000
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Foundation: claustral
Colony formation: monogynous (1 queen per colony)
Care:
Food: seed mix, small insects such as fruit flies, redrunners, crickets, mealworms, buffalo worms.
Food requirement: normal
How many workers should go to a nest?: From 30 workers the colony can be moved to a small nest.
Recommended nesting type: test tube, AntLab Fusion Nest, 3D, acrylic.
Messor barbarus is relatively easy to care for; the most important thing is that the colony always has sufficient seeds and water. You can also offer the colony an insect a few times a week. Observe their behavior carefully. If, for example, the colony doesn't accept the food, it has sufficient nutrients available, and you can try again a few days later. It's also important that this species is placed in a location with little to no vibration, as it is very sensitive to vibrations and becomes stressed.
Difficulty level
1.5 / 5
Growth rate
2 / 5
