Contents starter set messor barabarus:
– Messor barbarus ant colony
A queen with a number of workers.
– Cotton wool
For example, to prepare a new test tube; also handy to use a small piece for offering liquids (no risk of drowning)
– Anti-escape kit + brush.
A specially developed prevention to keep ants inside while keeping them out. Shake well before use!
– Bag of sand 100 grams
To create a thin layer of bedding for the outdoors.
– Outside world
The outside world for the ants where they get food and dispose of waste.
– 5 x test tubes 16 x 150 mm
Extra test tubes, for expansion and/or replacement if the current one is contaminated or its water reservoir is empty.
– Seed mix 13 grams
A specially formulated seed mix for starting ant colonies.
– Baby dubia cockroaches
Baby dubia cockroaches are a very good, high-protein food source for ants and other insectivores. These can be stored in the freezer.
– Test tube connector
To reduce the opening of the test tube, to connect to a nest, or to offer a 2nd test tube.
– Tweezers
Tweezers, for example, to prepare a test-tube ant or to clean up waste from the outside world.
- Manual
Information type
Messor barbarus is one of the most well-known ant species in the ant world. They are also called the harvester ant because they are known to accept various types of seeds and grind them into a paste, which they then feed 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 sea area, mainly Southern Europe
Difficulty level: 1.5/5
Size of queen: 14-16mm
Size of worker: 3-8 mm
Size of soldiers: 8-15 mm
Maximum age of queen: 20 years
Winter rest: November to March at 15 degrees
Growth rate: 2/5
Grow to number of workers: 10,000
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Foundation: Claustral
Colony formation: Monogyne
Care:
Food: seed mix, small insects such as fruit flies, redrunners, crickets, mealworms, buffalo worms, and morio worms.
From how many workers to a nest: from 30 workers, the colony can be moved to a small nest.
Recommended nest type: test tube, mesh nest, QA's Ytong 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 kept in a location with little to no vibration, as it is very sensitive to vibrations and becomes stressed.
