Information type
Messor cephalotes is the largest harvester ant in the world!
Scientific name : Messor cephalotes
Dutch name:/
Distribution area : East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia
Color of the ant : Red, black
Difficulty level: 3/5
Queen size : 22-25 mm
Worker size : 5-19 mm
Size of soldier:/
Temperature : 25 to 28 degrees
Optimal temperature : 26-27 degrees
nest humidity : 60 to 70%
outside humidity : 30 to 50%
Winter rest : none
Growth rate: 2/5
Grow to a number of workers : +- several thousand workers
Subfamily : Myrmicinae
Foundation : Claustral (does not require feeding during the foundation period)
Colony formation : Monogyne (can have 1 queen per nest)
Care:
Diet : Insects such as fruit flies, redrunners, crickets, mealworms, buffalo worms, and dubias. Sugars such as sugars, as this species has little to no need for sugars.
Food requirement : normal
From how many workers to a nest : from +- 30 workers to a small nest
Recommended nest type : Sand formicarium, 3D nest, Acrylic nest, AntLab nest
Messor cephalotes is somewhat more challenging to keep than other Messor species. 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 food available, and you can try again a few days later. It's also important that this species is kept in a location with little to no vibration, as it is very sensitive to vibrations and becomes stressed.
Difficulty level
3 / 5
Growth rate
2 / 5
