(1) Species from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:
Southern Europe, Southerneuropean Peninsula
Habitat:
xerothermic mountainareas also in urban areas like parks or meadowedges
Colonyform:
monogyne
Queen:
Size: 12 - 15mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:
Size: 4 - 13mm Colour: shiny black
Soldier:
not present
Males:
Size: 8 - 10mm Colour: shiny black
Nutrition
Mostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but insects too
Airhumidity:
Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:
Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 26°C
Hibernation:
yes, from end of November until end of February at 15°C
Nestform:
Build their nest in soil under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest, Digfix
Formicaria size:
Size:M
Substrate:
Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:
similar to savanah areas with grass and other plants
Decoration:
Branches, roots, treeneedels, stones
Description:
This species is a highly granivor ant which collects all kinds of small seeds and chew them to so- called antbread. Most of their waterrequirements are covered through seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor capiatus tends to drown in open water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.
Development:
matingflight: September and October after summerrains founding: claustral (without feeding) colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)