Messor Barbarus || Colony

Name: Messor Barbarus || Colony
Brand: Antmaster
Availability: InStock

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Colony of Messor barbarus

Do you want to purchase a young Messor barbarus colony ready to grow? This option includes a fertilized Messor barbarus queen accompanied by 5 to 20 active workers , as well as rearing in different stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae). It's the perfect choice for those who want to start on a secure foundation, without the risks of a foundation.

What's included?

1 Messor barbarus queen fertilized and active
Between 5 and 20 workers (nurses and young workers)
Breeding in different stages: eggs, larvae and pupae
Shipped in a test tube with water and cotton, ready to connect to a foraging area or mini anthill.

Characteristics of the species

Polymorphic species with workers of various sizes
Diet based on seeds and proteins (harvester ant)
Native to the Mediterranean climate, easy to keep indoors
Long-lived queen, with a life expectancy of more than 15 years
Active behavior, ideal for observation

Advantages of this colony

Young colony already established and actively growing
Requires little initial care
Ideal for starting without going through the critical foundation stage
Ready to be introduced into a small anthill or starter module

Basic care

Keep at a stable temperature (22–28 °C) and out of direct light
Feeding with small seeds (chia, canary seed, millet) 1–2 times per week
Provide protein once a week (microcricket, gammarus, etc.)
Add water source if moving to foraging box

Shipment

Delivered in a test tube with a hydration system, protected with packaging suitable for safe transport. We guarantee shipping in optimal conditions.

Buy your young Messor barbarus colony with queen and workers now and enjoy watching the development of a fascinating species from its earliest stages.

Messor barbarus — Guía Completa de Cuidados

La Messor barbarus es una de las especies de hormigas granívoras más populares en la península ibérica y gran parte de Europa. Destacan por su tranquilidad, resistencia y facilidad de cuidado, lo que las convierte en una opción ideal para principiantes. Forman colonias medianas a grandes, que pueden superar varios miles de obreras en pocos años.

Una de sus características más llamativas es la polimorfía de sus obreras: existen obreras menores, medias y las impresionantes cabezonas o major, que se encargan de triturar semillas. Su comportamiento granívoro permite mantenerlas con semillas, lo que reduce la necesidad de alimentación proteica frecuente, aunque sigue siendo recomendable ofrecer insectos secos ocasionalmente para un desarrollo óptimo.

Parámetros de cría recomendados

Temperatura ideal: 22–26°C (pueden tolerar 18–28°C)
Hibernación: 2–3 meses entre 12–15°C para un desarrollo sano
Humedad: Media-Alta, con bebedero disponible y zona seca para las semillas
Dieta: Principalmente semillas de chía, alpiste, quinoa y insectos secos ocasionales
Hábitat inicial: Hormiguero pequeño con forrajeo; evita excesivo espacio al principio
Dificultad: Muy fácil, perfecta para principiantes

Consejos de cuidado

Evita ofrecer demasiadas semillas grandes; las de chía y alpiste son ideales para reinas y primeras obreras.
No ofrezcas miel ni líquidos azucarados en exceso; pueden fermentar y generar hongos.
Retira las semillas germinadas para evitar moho en el hormiguero.
La hibernación es opcional el primer año, pero recomendable a partir del segundo.
Siempre mantén una zona seca para almacenar semillas y otra húmeda para la cría.

Get off to a good start: Starter kit for your ant colony

This starter kit, complete with a 3D ant farm and queen, is perfect for beginners and enthusiasts looking to get started in ant breeding. Made of PLA with a plaster interior, it provides the ideal environment for colony development , while controlling humidity and preventing fungus.

A product recommended by hundreds of satisfied customers.

Everything you need in one pack!

Start with my colony

Questions about Messor Barbarus

They are granivorous. Their main diet consists of small seeds (canary seed, flaxseed, chia, etc.), which they store and process. They also accept sweet liquids such as nectar or honeydew and occasional proteins (dried or fresh insects).

They adapt well to anthills with both dry and humid areas. Plaster-based models help maintain balanced humidity. They require a temperature between 21°C and 28°C for optimal development.

Use sponge or plaster humidity systems and place them in a draft-free location. A thermohygrometer will allow you to adjust the conditions if necessary.

Isolate them, clean the nest, and reduce humidity. Use CO₂ baths if the problem is severe or move the colony to a new, infestation-free nest.

Yes. They require a 2- to 3-month hibernation period at a temperature between 10 and 14°C during the winter, which improves their health and fertility.

It's moderate. From the founding queen to a colony with hundreds of workers, it can take between six months and a year, depending on conditions.

When the chambers are full or you notice overcrowding. Also, if you notice excessive accumulation of seeds or trash without enough space to store them.

Yes. Some are resting, on internal duties, or simply inactive for a while. Just be concerned if most of them aren't moving or there are a lot of deaths.

Not recommended. Colonies are territorial and are likely to fight, even if they are of the same species.