Messor cephalotes – Queen with breeding tube

Description

Discover Messor cephalotes, the world's largest harvester ant

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Species presentation:

Messor cephalotes is one of the most beautiful species in Africa thanks to its black color highlighted with intense red and its exceptional size (sometimes more than 20mm for the queen and 18mm for the major workers).

Messor cephalotes colonies are relatively easy to raise because this species feeds as readily as our French Messor species. Indeed, seeds cover the majority of its needs, but its aggressiveness and voracious appetite also allow it to feed on insects, and sometimes even certain sugary liquids. The difference lies in the longer development time compared to Messor barbarus, with more than a month between egg and worker. Patience is rewarded with impressively large workers of a magnificent, vibrant red color.

The observations are particularly pleasant on this favourite species which we offer in extremely limited quantity.

These queens are currently attempting to establish their colonies entirely independently, ideally in darkness at 25°C during the day and 20-24°C at night. Development can occur year-round without significant overwintering, requiring only a break from heating. When the queen is still alone during colony establishment, it is recommended to provide her with a small amount of sugary liquid to support egg-laying once a week on a piece of aluminum foil, and to keep the tube clean.

Example of a colony managed by a private breeder (Liber Ants):

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The Fourmiculture Charter on legislation and ethics:

Fourmiculture offers this exceptional species originating from Kenya, a country renowned for its magnificent species. We import them via express courier to ensure safe transport. The queens are collected during swarming, without destroying nests, and in limited numbers.

We are fortunate to build relationships of trust with local communities in order to improve their living conditions. This allows us to ensure fair and direct exchange.

Fourmiculture is also an establishment recognized by the French veterinary services, in possession of a certificate of competence for the breeding and sale of ants, validated by myrmecologists, civil and environmental protection services (decision No. 2016195-0002 of the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations).

As a private individual, keeping this species does not require any authorization as it is neither protected, nor threatened, nor invasive, nor dangerous. However, we remind you that the bite of soldier ants can be very painful. Finally, releasing the colony into the wild is prohibited, and we will buy back your colonies for up to €50.
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Fourmiculture Charter on Messor cephalotes:

1/ No "boost" (addition of brood or external workers to sell colonies faster; the queen is raised from the swarming stage),
2/ Guaranteed healthy delivery: partial refund in case of worker loss, full refund in case of queen loss (if delivered within 24 hours),
3/ Free rearing guide and health record provided

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The Fourmiculture Charter on delivery:

Our experience allows us to virtually eliminate losses during transport, and we use packaging specifically designed and tested for this purpose. Your order will be delivered by courier within 24 hours, and any loss of the colony during transport will automatically entitle you to a 100% refund if you opted for 24-hour delivery.

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More information on Messor cephalotes:

– Queen size: approximately 20 mm
– Worker size: approximately 3 to 18 mm
– Rearing temperature: 25°C during the day, 20-24°C at night
– Hibernation: None
– Food: Primarily seeds and insects, ideally Messor Power Mix. Sugary liquids in some cases. Small fresh insects (crickets size 1-2, fruit flies, mosquitoes, etc.) or dead insects, jellyfish, meat, etc.
– Humidity requirements: low to medium. Always keep a small section of the chambers humid.
– Monogynous (1 queen per colony)
– Maximum colony population: estimated at 10,000 workers.
– Color: Black with a strong red coloration on the head and thorax of the workers and the queen.
– Estimated maximum lifespan of the queen: 10 to 20 years

Photo: Copyright Antstore