Latin Name: | ![]() |
Messor structor |
Trivialname: | ![]() |
– |
Taxonomy: | ![]() |
Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini |
Keeping Level: | ![]() |
(1) Species from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate |
Distribution: | ![]() |
Southern Europe, Southerneuropean Peninsula |
Habitat: | ![]() |
Sand- and shrub areas |
Colonyform: | ![]() |
polygyne |
Queen: | ![]() |
Size: 9,5 – 10,5mm Colour: shiny black |
Worker: | ![]() |
Size: 4 – 9,5mm Colour: shiny black, head reddish brown (major worker) |
Soldier: | ![]() |
not present |
Males: | ![]() |
Size: 7 – 8mm Colour: black |
Nutrition | ![]() |
Mostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but insects too |
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, stones |
Description: | ![]() |
This species is a highly granivor ant which collects all kinds of small seeds and chew them to so- called antbread. Most of their waterrequirements are covered through seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor structor tends to drown in open water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton. |
Development: | ![]() |
matingflight: september and April/May founding: claustral (without feeding) colony age: 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 |
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.