| Latin Name: |  |
Messor barbarus |
| Trivialname: |  |
– |
| Taxonomy: |  |
Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini |
| Keeping Level: |  |
(1) Species from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate |
| Distribution: |  |
Southern Europe, North Africa, Asia |
| Habitat: |  |
Sand and shrub areas |
| Colonyform: |  |
monogyne |
| Queen: |  |
Size: 15 – 18mm Colour: head reddish brown til black, Thorax black |
| Worker: |  |
Size: 3 – 14mm Colour: shiny black, Head reddish brown (Major- worker) til black |
| Soldier: |  |
not present |
| Males: |  |
Size: 7 – 8mm Colour: black |
| Nutrition |  |
Mostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but also insects |
| Airhumidity: |  |
Arena: 30 – 50% Nestpart: 50 – 70% |
| Temperature: |  |
Arena: 25 – 30°C Nestpart: 21 – 26°C |
| Hibernation: |  |
yes, from end of November until end of February at 15°C |
| Nestform: |  |
Build their nest in soil and under stones |
| Kind of Formicaria: |  |
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest, Digfix |
| Formicaria size: |  |
Size: M |
| Substrate: |  |
Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam |
| Planting: |  |
similar to savanah areas with grass and other plants |
| Decoration: |  |
Branches, roots, treeneedels |
| Description: |  |
This species is a highly granivor ant which collects all kinds of small seeds and chew them into so- called antbread. Most of their waterrequirements are covered by seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor barbarus tends to drown in open water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton. |
| Development: |  |
matingflight: autuum founding: claustral (without feeding) colonyage up to 25 years colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals |
| Quantity: |  |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
| Weblinks: |  |
– Forum |
| Weight | 0,0300 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 16,00 × 1,60 × 1,60 cm |
Where to buy ants
Here you can find helpful information on where to buy your queen ant or ant colony, if not available in our store.
Antstore Worls of Ants
Our website “Antstore” offers a wide range of different ant species. Please consider that your ants are being shipped from Germany, so long delivery times and a delivery stop during winter, due to low temperatures and hibernation, could affect your order.
Antcheck.de
This is a german website where you can compare prices and find ant species globally. The best way to order ants is always a local shop in your country.
They also have a list of international shops:
https://antcheck.info/de/shops/
Global ant nursery program
Ants Canadas global ant nursery program connects private local vendors and ant keepers, that want to sell a colony or queen ant, to buyers.
Here is how the describe themselves: “We are like the “Uber” for live ants, constantly bringing together ant lovers with locally raised ant colonies!”
Learn more or take part here:
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