Messor wasmanni – Queen 2020

Description

The Fourmiculture Charter for our Messor wasmanni ants:

1. Approved breeding program of the Veterinary Services, managed by a certified specialist,
2. Free "Perfect Ant Keeper's Guide" and health record provided,
3. Ants guaranteed parasite-free,
4. Health demonstrated by queen egg-laying and the presence of brood upon shipment,
5. No "boosting" (addition of brood or external workers to sell colonies faster),
6. Guaranteed healthy delivery: partial refund in case of worker loss, full refund in case of queen loss (if delivered within 48 hours),
7. Shipping possible from -12°C to +40°C thanks to our optional insulated packaging,
8. Species present in France, non-invasive and not threatened,

sell (see conditions).

Queens of autumn 2020, originally from Italy.

Note: Brood is not present until spring. This is normal. The queen needs to spend three months in a cool environment (between 8 and 15°C) and then be moved to a warmer location in spring, around 27°C, to lay eggs in a test tube without food until the first worker bees emerge. Excellent development is expected in summer.

Particularly easy to feed and raise, these ants require little care and are a good size, slightly larger than Messor minor. Large workers are present and emerge gradually as the colony grows (ranging in size from approximately 4 to 10 mm).
The workers have a very attractive black and red coloration. The thorax is red in Messor wasmanni, while the head is also slightly colored in Messor minor. Messor wasmanni is found in Mediterranean countries and Corsica, where it forms long chains of workers searching for seeds. It prefers sunny and warm climates.

Messor wasmanni thrives at 27°C most of the time, but it is advisable to keep it in a cooler location (around 15°C) with humidity and food for at least six weeks during the winter to ensure renewed growth in the spring. For a very similar species that grows faster and does not require overwintering, we recommend Messor minor.

Feeding primarily on seeds that the worker ants store in dry chambers, Messor wasmanni (and other Messor species) can live off their reserves for months without any problems. This greatly simplifies their rearing. Observations are still frequent, and you can watch the ants prepare a paste from the seeds, which they will then eat three days later.

The rearing conditions of Messor wasmanni are broadly similar to those of Messor minor.

Ant- Fourmiculture to boost the development of Messor wasmanni: consider providing protein with our Power Mix blend rich in crickets, or fresh insects, meat, quinoa seeds, etc. Don't forget that seeds remain the basis of their diet.

– Food: Messor Mix (seeds), small insects, biscuit crumbs…
– Queen size: 10-12mm. Maximum worker size: approximately 10mm
– Hibernation: approximately 45 days at 15°C
– Rearing temperature outside of hibernation: approximately 27°C
– Humidity level: prefers a relatively high level, but all our Artificial Ant Farms are suitable.

Photos: Maciej Nielubowicz