Harvester ants collect seeds and store them in underground chambers. Their trails, their size range and their steady growth make them a favourite first species for ant keepers across Europe.
What harvester ants are
The harvester ants we cover belong to the genus Messor: Messor structor and Messor barbarus. They live in dry, open habitats in southern and central Europe and the Mediterranean. Workers range from small minors to large majors, and each size class has its own job. See Messor structor vs Messor barbarus for how the two compare.
Nest and setup
- A nest with a moist brood area and a dry seed store. Ytong, plaster or acrylic all work.
- Deep chambers, especially for Messor barbarus, which is described as a deep-nesting species.
- An outworld where seeds can be offered, with a secure lid and an escape barrier.
Feeding
Seeds are the staple. Offer a mixture of small seeds and remove husks. Add small insects as protein and a sugar source now and then. Do not overfill the outworld, and keep the seed store dry to prevent mould. See feeding ant colonies.
Temperature and humidity
Ant-keeping sources agree on a nest temperature of about 22–26 °C. Keep the brood area moderately moist (about 50–60 percent for Messor barbarus) and the seed store dry. See temperature and humidity.
Winter rest
Both species need a cool winter rest of a few months. Sources differ on the exact temperature and length, which is why we give no exact figure for Messor structor and a range of about 10–15 °C for Messor barbarus. See ant hibernation and winter rest.
Queens
Messor barbarus has one queen. Messor structor colonies often have several. Both start from queens that found claustrally.
Frequently asked questions
Are harvester ants good for beginners?
Yes. Ant-keeping sources describe both European Messor species as beginner-friendly.
How big do colonies get?
Thousands of workers for Messor structor, and about 10,000 on average for Messor barbarus.
Do harvester ants sting?
Ant-keeping sources describe both European Messor species as harmless to ant keepers and easy to handle with care.
Interested in Messor barbarus?
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