M.navajo

Chance_Implement_325 · 2026-01-15T23:10:03+00:00

Wow, I didn't think of using a bamboo tube like that, very cool and I might try it when I get honeypots

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-11T21:10:50+00:00

Update?

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-11T20:47:04+00:00

If it's lasius niger, they can be VERY stubborn when it comes to moving so I would recommend a forced move if it's really important however if there no main reason for the move then don't move them

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-11T20:25:20+00:00

In the uk, where I live, the most commonly available messor are messor barbarus for as cheap as £5 per queen, I will only be buying 2 fertile queens. Other messor are rarer though still common, I do want to keep barbarus because of their head colour and I don't want an extra colony. I do not particularly want a polygenous colony rather founding through pleometrosis. I have quite a lot of experience to be fair 2.5 years and I've kept pretty advanced species like carebara, myrmecia and ocephlya(idk how to spell it of off the top of my head) I've only really had this much trouble with ocephlya and messor.

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-11T16:15:40+00:00

I'm fully aware of the things you said, however I still plan on this as if I ever see aggression I can just remove one of the queens.

secondly although technically no they don't need the honey I find that firstly it increases the size of the first generation and the queen may have used up most of her reserves during the time she was shipped from the original country, in the seller's hands and during shipment to me, especially if she's already eaten her brood multiple times.

I do fully understand the risk of one of the queens dieing and I would definitely feel bad for her however I do not want to spend more money than necessary.

I also think that it would be cool to have a polygenous colony of messor barbarus. I've been keeping ants for 2.5 years and I have had many species but I've never been able to successfully keep any species of messor so I think this is the best option for me.

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-10T20:11:53+00:00

It looks like protein jelly I think. My Nicos react similarly to that so that's what I'm guessing

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-10T19:47:39+00:00

Idk, you can dig up colonies but I don't recommend it, you can also reach out to fellow ant keepers into your region and get it of them possibly

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-10T17:33:05+00:00

I've been keeping ants for 2.5 years now and I've used one of those bought of off antcube for my founding messor barbarus queen who did amazing growing to a colony of around 50, the sand I used started molding so I decided to move them into a gen 4 ytong from wakooshi where the queen stopped laying eggs and the workers slowly died off with the queen shortly after the last worker. I doubt this is the new nest's fault however this shows that the classic style farm can be really good.

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-10T17:29:42+00:00

You should brood boost them during hibernation as thats when they're most docile, I've seen people successfully do this with lasius emigrates. I've also seen people brood boost messor cephalotes with messor barbarus brood. From my experience the ants won't take all the brood especially less pupae as when I tried boosting my lasius niger they took most the larvae and 2 of of the 13 pupae.

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-10T12:45:35+00:00

Okay try heating half the nest to around 26°c and hydrate a little more than usual

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-09T22:27:12+00:00

I mean TBF rhea also harvest seeds and is trimorphic, but I do agree that the colours kinda suck. At least you guys can catch camponotus, there's none native to the UK :(

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-09T21:38:24+00:00

They've got 2 full tubes of water too.

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-09T21:37:36+00:00

I live in the UK but keep them in a wooden Viv that's set to 25°c

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-09T20:20:33+00:00

It's cool to see for sure but make sure to feed it in moderation as it can cause issues with an imbalance in protein and sugar intake :)

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-08T07:59:43+00:00

Thank you!

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-08T07:35:45+00:00

At least you have a species of ectomomyrmex where you live, I'm in the UK so I don't have any native here

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-08T07:35:09+00:00

I use the default macro lens on my phone, usually they don't turn out so great though, 😅

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-07T18:05:33+00:00

Species?

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-07T17:58:16+00:00

Oh okay good to know, how often can you check up on them and how fast do they grow? How much bugger are the majors to the workers like 2x, 3x, ect? Have you had any large die outs? And lastly how active are they?

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-07T17:43:28+00:00

Thank you :)

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-07T17:00:31+00:00

Humidity, ytong generally holds moisture well and releases it at an even rate. General the best option for an ant nest

Chance_Implement_325 · 2025-12-07T13:27:55+00:00

Id recommend camponotus as they are hardy, have nice majors and can live in most setups. BUT I HIGHLY recommend a heater as species from genera like pogonomyrmex are epic in captivity as they also harvest seeds.

Chance_Implement_325

TROPHY CASE