- Scientific name
- Messor structor
- Common name
- Harvester ant
- Origin
- Southern and central Europe, extending into North Africa and western Asia
- Difficulty
- Beginner level
- Worker ant size
- About 4–10 mm
- Queens
- Several queens (polygynous)
- Typical colony size
- Thousands of worker ants
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
- Winter rest
- Required
Messor structor is a large seed-harvesting ant of southern and central Europe. Colonies often have several queens and grow to thousands of workers. The species page has the full profile: Messor structor.
Know what you are keeping
The name Messor structor is used for a group of closely related ants, and research on Central European populations found more than one species. Ask where your colony comes from, and do not mix colonies from different sources.
Nest and food
Use a nest with a moist brood area and a dry seed store. Seeds are the staple food. Small insects provide protein, and a sugar source on the side is welcome. See harvester ant care and feeding ant colonies.
Temperature and winter rest
- Ant-keeping sources agree on about 22–26 °C for the nest.
- A cool winter rest of a couple of months is recommended. Sources differ on the temperature (for example 10–15 °C for 2–3 months, or about 15 °C from November to February), so choose the milder option. See ant hibernation and winter rest.
- Sources differ on humidity, so we do not publish a figure: keep a moist brood area and a dry seed store.
Several queens
Colonies are often polygynous. In some populations nests form large networks without clear borders. That makes the species interesting, but you should not add queens from different colonies, because ants from different colonies fight.
What to expect
Thousands of workers; about 5,000 are reported in the wild, and larger captive colonies are anecdotal. Worker sizes vary from about 4 to 10 mm.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a good first ant?
Ant-keeping sources describe it as one of the easier species to start with.
How does it differ from Messor barbarus?
It often has several queens, while Messor barbarus has one. See Messor structor vs Messor barbarus.
What does it eat?
Mainly seeds, with small insects as protein.
Interested in Messor structor?
See the species profile, check availability or ask us a question before you decide. You never have to go through checkout to ask.