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nikolas86m: My Messor colony doesn't grow (8. Aug 2014 09:28)

hello

i have a M essor structor colony, and i see that the number of worker are stable in aout 10 worker
all was excellent until the time to move from the test tube, so the last three months i see the same thing, i don't see to grow it, maybe to reduce
i'm disappointed now :cry: i don't know or i can't see where is my faults. Can anyone suggest something?

Sojave: Re: my messor colony doesn't grow (8. Aug 2014 10:19)

Hi,

give us more informations. Food, temperatures, setup ect.
I hope you have offered them some flies too?

nikolas86m: Re: my messor colony doesn't grow (8. Aug 2014 10:48)

hi

the set up i use, is the starter kit for Messor spec. http://www.antstore.net/shop/product_info.php?language=en&gm_boosted_product=Starter-Set-fuer-Messor-spec-&Ameisen-Starter-Sets-Ameisenfarmen-antfarm=Starter-Sets---Ameisen&Starter-Set-fuer-Messor-spec-_html=&products_id=2997&
the temperature is about 25C - 30C. it has the same temperature with the house
i feed the colony only with mix of different seeds, and some times a little of bread, no i i didn't offerd them flies or another insect!
is it bad?? i knew that this spiece is a harvest ant, so they eat only seeds
thank you

Markus: Re: my messor colony doesn't grow (8. Aug 2014 15:42)

That's the reason: their brood needs insects for food!

Sojave: Re: my messor colony doesn't grow (8. Aug 2014 18:41)

Some experiments show, that for example Messor barbarus can grow with only seeds. BUT its very slow and only some small worker will hatch, if it works. Your colony have used all reserves and so now its the point, where they cant feed the brood anymore.

They need insects and a lot later for the Majors.
The seeds are mainly for the winter and colder times. My small Messor structor colony takes every single flies at the time they find it.
Give them flies as soon you read this and dont try some other strange insects. They have to get through the chitin.

shane: Re: my messor colony doesn't grow (9. Aug 2014 00:32)

You can help them a little by crushing the small seed for them by putting some seeds on to a paper towel and crush them with a rolling pin then with crushed seeds on the paper towel just pore them in there food dish in foraging tank and the small works will root around for them and take bits back to nest.

If you feeding them canary seeds then the first small workers can't get in to shell for seeds till media or bigger works start to come into colony, So helping them a little is ok just not to much.

Also as others have pointed out the odd dead insect is always welcome :)