Messor structor

Added on: 04/26/09
Article number: mest0001

Category: AntsEurope

Messor structor is a Myrmicinae like Messor barbarus with minor- till major-worker with all passings. Great colonies carry their seeds on long "highways" into the nest. They stores the seed in different granaries and create so-called ants bread in "chew-communities" especially for the colder season. They lay out an trash-accumulation. In contrary to other Messor species this species is polygyn i.e. has several Queens.

• Taxonomy: Myrmicinae
• Color: black
• Size: Queen 14 - 16 mm
• Origin: South France
• Nutrition: Mostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass), but insects and honeywater too
• Temperature: 25 - 30 °C
• Hibernation: Yes (slight)
• Air humidity: Dry climate
• Nest building: Soil nests, loam, pebbles
• Planting: nothing specific
• Class: easy to keep

All of our Messor will be shipped with a small container of hand-picked plant seeds that are most popular for the Messor.

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Messor minor hesperius

Added on: 07/01/08
Article number: mehe0001

Category: AntsAfrica

Beautiful brown-black colored messor species which is also known as Messor minor hesperius.This species can be found in low lands and also in mountains and don't requires hibernation phase.

• Taxonomy: Subfamily Myrmicinae, Tribe Pheidolini
• Color: Workers: brown with black abdomen, Queen: black
• Size: Worker: 4-11mm, Queen: 12-13mm
• Distribution: Macronesia
• Characteristics:  polymorph
• Nest building: Soil nests, often under stones
• Nutrition: Mostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass), but insects and honeywater too
• Temperature: 22 - 30 °C (Mediterranean)
• Hibernation: No
• Air humidity: 50-65% (mountains)
• Planting: nothing specific

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Messor cf. orientalis

Added on: 11/02/06
Article number: mesp0001

Category: AntsAsia

Oriental Messor species which doesn't need hibernation. This species is also active in cool season in their range. It is significant easier to keep this species than for example Messor barbarus and they subsist on seeds, honey-/sugar water but also insects (similar to many Pheidole species). A typical identifiers is the caldera formed nest entry. They will often be found in sand or loamy sand. The shape of the body is slimmer than of Messor barbarus and the color of the workers is brown till black. The queen is colored black with brown legs.

• Taxonomy: Subfamily Myrmicinae, Tribe Pheidolini
• Color: Workers: darkbrown, Queen: black with brown legs
• Size: Queen 11 - 13 mm
• Distribution: Orient (Asia Minor)
• Characteristics:  polymorph
• Nest building: Soil nests, often in sand or under stones
• Nutrition: Mostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass), but insects and honeywater too
• Temperature: 22 - 30 °C
• Hibernation: No
• Air humidity: Dry climate
• Planting: nothing specific
• Level: very easy to keep

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Messor cf. meridionale

Added on: 06/15/09
Article number: mecf0001

Category: AntsEurope

A dark brown colored messor species from Greece. This species don't require an extensive hibernation phase and so can be kept warm or at room temperatur in winter.

• Taxonomy: Subfamily Myrmicinae, Tribe Pheidolini
• Color: drak brown
• Size: Worker: 4-11 mm, Queen: 12-13 mm
• Origin: Greece
• Characteristics:  polymorph, monogyne
• Nest building: Soil nests, often under stones
• Nutrition: Mostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass), but insects and honeywater too
• Temperature: 20 - 25°C (Mediterranean)
• Hibernation: No
• Air humidity: dry
• Planting: nothing specific

All of our Messor will be shipped with a small container of hand-picked plant seeds that are most popular for the Messor.

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Messor cf. ebeninus

Added on: 05/01/09
Article number: meeb0001

Category: AntsAfrica

A black colored messor species that can be found in Middle East and North Africa. For that reason this species don't require an extensive hibernation phase and so can be kept warm or at room temperatur in winter.

• Taxonomy: Subfamily Myrmicinae, Tribe Pheidolini
• Color: black
• Size: Worker: 4-11 mm, Queen: 12-13 mm
• Distribution: Middle East, Northern Africa
• Characteristics:  polymorph, monogyne
• Nest building: Soil nests, often under stones
• Nutrition: Mostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass), but insects and honeywater too
• Temperature: 16- 25°C (Mediterranean)
• Hibernation: No
• Air humidity: dry
• Planting: nothing specific

All of our Messor will be shipped with a small container of hand-picked plant seeds that are most popular for the Messor.

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Messor bouvieri

Added on: 01/13/08
Article number: mebo0001

Category: AntsEurope

• Taxonomy: Subfamily: Myrmicinae, Tribe: Pheidolini
• Color: black
• Size: Queen 14 - 16 mm
• Distribution: South Europe
• Nutrition: Mostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass), but insects and honeywater too
• Hibernation: Yes (slight)
• Air humidity: Dry climate
• Nest building: Soil nests
• Planting: nothing specific
• Class: easy to keep

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Messor barbarus

Added on: 11/02/06
Article number: meba0001

Category: AntsEurope

Messor barbarus is a Myrmicinae with minor- till major-worker with all passings. Great colonies carry on long "highways" their seeds into the nest. They storing the seed in different granaries and prepare in "chew-communities" the so-called ant bread especially for the colder season. They lay out an trash-accumulation.

• Taxonomy: Myrmicinae
• Color: black, sometimes red brown heads
• Size: Queen 14 - 16 mm
• Distribution: South Europe
• Nutrition: Mostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass), but insects and honeywater too
• Temperature: 25 - 30 °C
• Hibernation: Yes (slight)
• Air humidity: Dry climate
• Nest building: Soil nests, loam, pebbles
• Planting: nothing specific
• Class: easy to keep

All Messor will be included with untreated hand-picked plant seeds.

Note: Young Queens from current season do not have any offspring (Queens with offspring and/or brood are from last year), they wil lay first eggs in spring.

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