Messor capitatus

Description

Messor capitatus – fascinating harvester ants

Messor capitatus is one of the most interesting species of harvest ants, ideal for both beginners and advanced breeders. This Mediterranean species is famous for its unique lifestyle and is loved for its calm temperament and unique seed-gathering behaviour. Their ease of breeding and fascinating way of life make them the perfect choice for any ant enthusiast.

Opis gatunku Messor capitatus

Messor capitatus are medium-sized harvester ants. Workers of this species vary greatly in size, from the smallest, called minors, to the large, strong ones called majors, which are adapted to grinding and transporting seeds. The colouring of the workers ranges from dark brown to black, giving them a classic, elegant appearance.

Messor capitatus colonies develop relatively slowly, but over time they can reach impressive sizes. These ants lead a foraging lifestyle – workers traverse arenas, collecting seeds, which they transport to the nest to later create what is known as “ant bread”. This is a fascinating process that can be observed on a daily basis, making this species particularly interesting to breed.

Zalety hodowli Messor capitatus

• Ease of breeding: This species is easy to breed, especially for beginners, as it does not require complicated conditions. It is resistant to mistakes made by novice breeders.
• Foraging behaviour: Messor capitatus are foraging ants that collect seeds in their natural habitat, which makes observing their life extremely interesting.
• Calm temperament: This breed is exceptionally calm and rarely displays aggression in captivity, making them ideal for people who do not want to worry about possible escapes.
• No hibernation requirement: Under domestic conditions, Messor capitatus may not require full hibernation, making them easier to keep.

Breeding instructions and advice

Messor capitatus is a species that thrives in earth, cork and plaster formicaria, giving breeders a wide choice of formicaria to suit their preferences. However, these ants need a certain level of humidity, which can be ensured by regularly moistening the nest. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, so it is worth ensuring variety and providing them with different types of seeds – from sesame to millet.

It is important to remember to provide access to water and protein-rich food, such as feed insects, especially during periods of colony growth when protein requirements increase.

• Temperature: The optimum temperature for Messor capitatus is 20–28°C, but they are quite resilient and can withstand slightly lower temperatures for short periods.
• Humidity: The nest should be moderately humid – it is best to use a formicarium with irrigation, especially in the nesting area, to create ideal conditions.
• Food: Provide them with seeds and feed insects (e.g. cockroaches or mealworms) on a regular basis, as these are an important source of protein.

Interesting facts about Messor capitatus

One of the most fascinating features of Messor capitatus is their ability to collect seeds in huge quantities, which are stored in special chambers in the nest. The workers literally ‘grind’ the seeds into a paste, which is fed to the entire colony. This natural behaviour, observed in breeding colonies, gives the owner a unique opportunity to see how these ants have adapted to their environment.

Colonies can develop over many years and reach impressive sizes, numbering thousands of workers who form a strong community capable of accumulating significant food reserves.

Messor capitatus is the perfect choice for both beginners and experienced breeders who want to observe the natural behaviour of foraging ants. Their calm temperament, interesting behaviour and ease of breeding will quickly make these ants one of your favourites in your collection. If you are looking for a fascinating species that will give you a lot of satisfaction from observation and breeding, Messor capitatus is an excellent choice.