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.