Messor wasmanni – Queen 2020

Description

The Ant Farming Charter on our Messor wasmanni ants:

1. Breeding approved by Veterinary Services, carried out by a specialist under certificate of capacity,
2. Guide to the Perfect Ant Farmer offered and health sheet provided,
3. Ants guaranteed without parasites,
4. Health demonstrated by the laying of the queen and the presence of brood upon shipment,
5. No “boost” (addition of brood or external workers to sell the colonies more quickly),
6. Guaranteed delivery in good health: partial reimbursement in the event of loss of workers, total in case of loss of the queen (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,
9. Colony taken back and costs covered if you wish to part with it (see conditions).
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Fall 2020 queens from Italy.

Attention: the brood is not yet present before spring. This is normal. The queen must spend 3 months in a cool place (between 8 and 15°C approximately) then be heated in the spring to around 27°C to lay eggs, in a tube, without food until the birth of the first workers. Excellent development planned in the summer.

Particularly easy to feed and raise, these ants are satisfied with little care and are of good size, a little larger than Messor minor.
Presence of large workers who are born gradually as the colony grows (with several sizes, from about 4 to 10mm). Very pretty black and red color in the workers. The thorax is red in Messor wasmanni while the head is also a little colored in Messor minor. Messor wasmanni is present in Mediterranean countries and in Corsica where it forms long chains of workers in search of seeds. She likes the sun and hot climates.

Messor wasmanni develops easily at 27°C most of the time but it is advisable to leave it cool (around 15°C) with humidity and food for at least a month and a half in winter to ensure the resumption of spring development. For a very similar species, with faster development and without wintering, we recommend Messor minor.

Feeding mainly on seeds that the workers store in the dry rooms, the Messor wasmanni (and other Messor) are able to live on their reserves for months without worry. This greatly simplifies breeding. Observations remain numerous and you will be able to follow the production of a paste from the seeds in order to feed on them 3 days later.

The rearing conditions of Messor wasmanni are globally similar to Messor minor.

Ant farming tip to boost the development of Messor wasmanni: consider proteins with our Power Mix rich in crickets, or fresh insects, meat, quinoa seeds, etc. Without forgetting that the basis of their diet remains the seeds.

– Food: Messor Mix (seeds), small insects, biscuit crumbs….
– Queen size: 10-12mm.
Maximum size of workers: about 10mm – Wintering: about 45 days at 15°C
– Breeding temperature excluding wintering: about 27°C
– Humidity rate: appreciates a relatively high rate but all our Artificial Anthills are suitable.

Photos: Maciej Nielubowicz