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Messor Barbarus

Started By Jimmydave937911 , Jun 17 2020 11:39 AM

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18 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted June 17 2020 - 11:39 AM

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Hi all,

I’ve been asked to make someone a medium/large sized formicarium for their Messor Barbarus. I’ve done a bit of research myself but has anyone got any hints/tips/ideas for what would be best design wise. Are they a species that require a lot of moisture etc

Thanks in advance as always!

#2 Offline Barristan - Posted June 17 2020 - 12:00 PM

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It would be best if you have different moisture levels in the nest. They like to store seeds in dry hot regions and larvae in moist ones.

An internal nest is also recommended if you want to use plaster or Ytong since Messor majors have no problem chewing through these materials.

There is a nice tutorial in German (but maybe google translate helps) how you can create an internal plaster nest: https://www.ameiseni.../anlagebau.html

The website owner has kept Messor barbarous for many years and you can also find a journal (with a lot of pictures) there.

Edited by Barristan, June 17 2020 - 12:01 PM.

Nuptial flight map, Ant Mating chart, YouTube-Channel, Blog (German), Shop (German)

 

 

#3 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted June 17 2020 - 12:12 PM

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Thanks Barristan, when you say an internal nest, what do you mean?

#4 Offline Barristan - Posted June 17 2020 - 12:20 PM

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A nest that is inside the outworld


Nuptial flight map, Ant Mating chart, YouTube-Channel, Blog (German), Shop (German)

 

 

#5 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted June 17 2020 - 2:27 PM

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Well here’s my design? It’s a lot bigger than my normal size but ah well. As I said someone contacted me asking me to make one for them, so here goes nothing!

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Edited by Jimmydave937911, June 17 2020 - 2:28 PM.

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#6 Online ANTdrew - Posted June 17 2020 - 2:55 PM

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Seems like you found a new calling!
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline AntsDakota - Posted June 17 2020 - 3:37 PM

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Perhaps you’ll go into business one of these days.
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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#8 Offline Antkid12 - Posted June 18 2020 - 2:30 AM

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looks really nice!  (y)


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Ants I have: Tapinoma sessile(2 queen colony). RED MORPH Camponotus neacticus(now has pupae!), Tetramorium immigrans (x3), Aphaenogaster sp, Temnothorax sp, Brachymyrmex sp.   possibly infertile   :(,  Ponera pennsylvanica, and Pheidole morrisi!  :yahoo: 

 

Other insects: Polistes sp. Queen

                    

Ants I need: Pheidole sp., Trachymyrmex sp., Crematogaster cerasi , Dorymyrmex sp. Most wanted: Pheidole morrisii

 

                    

                   

 

 

#9 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted June 23 2020 - 10:23 AM

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Very slow but steady progress!

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#10 Offline Antkid12 - Posted June 23 2020 - 10:25 AM

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Wow, I can't wait to see the finished formicarium!


Edited by Antkid12, June 23 2020 - 10:26 AM.

Ants I have: Tapinoma sessile(2 queen colony). RED MORPH Camponotus neacticus(now has pupae!), Tetramorium immigrans (x3), Aphaenogaster sp, Temnothorax sp, Brachymyrmex sp.   possibly infertile   :(,  Ponera pennsylvanica, and Pheidole morrisi!  :yahoo: 

 

Other insects: Polistes sp. Queen

                    

Ants I need: Pheidole sp., Trachymyrmex sp., Crematogaster cerasi , Dorymyrmex sp. Most wanted: Pheidole morrisii

 

                    

                   

 

 

#11 Offline ponerinecat - Posted June 23 2020 - 3:54 PM

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Interesting, very geometric shapes. don't see that often in formicaria, I do like its neat, organized look.


#12 Offline Vincex - Posted June 24 2020 - 1:11 AM

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I'd do away with the secondary water area s cos messier like it hot and dry! Maybe a second access might be better but cool design tho! Is it glass or perspex your using for cover

#13 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted June 25 2020 - 12:17 PM

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Vincex, thanks mate... using perspex

#14 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted June 25 2020 - 12:18 PM

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All watering areas are “optional” if you know what I mean. Just there in case needed.

#15 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted June 25 2020 - 12:31 PM

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All watering areas are “optional” if you know what I mean. Just there in case needed.

. Cycling watering areas can also help reduce mold.

#16 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted June 29 2020 - 7:38 AM

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Taking a while but getting there!

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#17 Online ANTdrew - Posted June 29 2020 - 7:49 AM

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Wow. Magisterial!
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#18 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted June 29 2020 - 7:51 AM

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Great word use Drew lol! That was actually yesterday but haven’t taken a picture today... hoping it’ll be finished tomorrow! Really wishing I’d charged him more now :-D

#19 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted June 30 2020 - 12:34 PM

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And here she is in all her glory 😂 tadaaaa!

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Edited by Jimmydave937911, June 30 2020 - 12:35 PM.

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