Messor barbarus || Queen

Name: Messor barbarus || Queen
Brand: Antmaster
Availability: InStock

€0,00

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Queen of Messor Barbarus

Looking to purchase a Messor barbarus queen to start your own colony? We offer a fertilized Messor barbarus queen with brood in various stages: eggs, larvae, and pupae. This is a perfect option for those who want to start from scratch, but with the peace of mind that the foundation has already begun successfully.

What's included?

1 fertilized queen of Messor barbarus
Breeding in different stages: eggs, larvae and pupae
Shipped in a test tube with water and cotton, ready for development

Characteristics of Messor barbarus

Harvester ant native to the Mediterranean climate
Ideal species for beginners and experienced hobbyists
It feeds mainly on seeds
Exceptional longevity of the queen (up to 20 years)
Progressive breeding and polymorphic colony with workers of different sizes

Advantages of this option

Cloister foundation initiated: the queen has already laid eggs and is active
100% natural process without the need for external power during this phase
Ideal for observing the complete development from the beginning

Basic care

Keep in a quiet, dark place with a stable temperature (22–28 °C)
Do not feed until the first workers are born.
Check cotton moisture periodically
Do not open the tube except for spot checks or replacement due to mold.

Shipment

The queen is delivered in a test tube equipped with a hydration system and shock protection. Secure shipping and packaging adapted to weather conditions.

Buy your Messor barbarus queen with developing brood and start your colony from a safe, natural foundation. If you need compatible nests or starter kits, check out our dedicated Messor nest sections.

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.