Messor barbarus
Hormiga cosechadora mediterránea
Messor barbarus
Mediterranean Harvester Ant
An iconic species of Spain and the Mediterranean. Collects and stores seeds in dedicated chambers. Its soldiers have enormous heads for crushing seeds. Fascinating to observe their foraging chains.
24–30 °C
40–60%
10,000–100,000
November – February
→ Medium
Every 4 days
Recommended feeding
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Seeds
Seeds are their main food. There must always be seeds available. Protein is supplementary.
March – June
Hot, dry days with temperature >22°C. Usually fly in the early morning (9:00–12:00). Require several days of good weather beforehand.
Among the first nuptial flights of the year in Spain. Queens are large and easy to spot on the ground after the flight. Very common on paths and open fields of the Mediterranean.
This species produces soldiers (majors) with differentiated morphology.
Messor pupae are naked (no cocoon), unlike Lasius. Soldiers appear when the colony exceeds ~500 workers.
Queen activity by month
Estimated queen fertility (%)
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