ANTCUBE Starter Kit for Messor spec.

Content:
1x Cricket Jam 25g
1x Grain food minor 100g

1x ANTCUBE - Arena 20x20x10 - flat
1x ant arena frame 20x20
1x ant arena cover 20x20
4x fixing point for arena cover
2x ANTCUBE - Ant farm - M - 20x20 - upright

2x ANTCUBE - Digfix plate 20x20 - M
1x 1m tube transparent 14/10 mm
2x ANTCUBE - Red foil 20x20 - filter
2x adhesive clamps - transparent 2 pcs.
1x substrate - desert - 1 kg

1x photo back wall - desert - 20x10

2x grid insert - 50mm - stainless steel
1x grid insert - 27mm - stainless steel
1x grid cap - 10mm - stainless steel

1x tank hose connector 27-14,16,20 mm - transparent
1x feed dispenser 2ml - dosable
1x drinking trough clear 20ml - sponge
1x bowl clear 1x20 - sponge
1x Mini thermo-hygrometer analog - display - hanging
1x Ant escape protection oil 10ml
1x Tweezers spring steel - wide - soft
1x Tweezers plastic transparent
1x Plastic pipette 3ml
1x hand magnifier - 2x - 30mm
1x foam wiper 150x18x2.5mm

Description:
This starter set is especially suitable for various species of the genus Messor or Pogonomyrmex. One of the two farms is intended for storing the seeds and ant bread and should therefore be kept completely dry to prevent the seeds/grains stored there from germinating or becoming moldy.

The "Digfix plates" can be inserted into the fully transparent farms. Alternatively, however, you can also use the "Soil - Desert" to fill the farms. If required, additional modules can be connected via the 50 mm holes in the cover, e.g. the separately available foggers, fans or lights. Alternatively, suitable grid inserts to close the openings are included in the scope of delivery. If desired, the formicarium can also be operated open by simply attaching the removable outbreak protection frame and applying the ant outbreak protection oil to the edge. The "Drinking trough clear 20 ml - sponge" is intended for water, the "Food dispenser 2 ml - dosable" for the grains. The "Mini thermo-hygrometer" can be attached to the frame or cover and displays the climate values.

Important: Please moisten the substrate before use so that the mixture can bond and develop a firm hold in the ant farm. In addition, if the substrate is too dry and dusty, the ants' airways may be blocked and, in the worst case, the animals may suffocate.

Recommendation: We recommend a substrate layer of 2 mm in height so that the animals cannot burrow into the arena and instead use the farm provided for this purpose. We also recommend that the nesting material in the farm (sand/clay, Digfix, etc.) is slightly pricked in one place to make it easier for the animals to dig.

Notes on production
The glass is cut to size according to DIN 1249 with a tolerance of +/- 1 mm. Additional escape protection is essential for extremely small ant species.

Notes on the farm
Please note the following when attaching or removing hoses:
If the tube is very difficult to fit onto the connection socket, the socket should be lightly rubbed with a drop of our escape protection oil or powder. The hose should then be pushed onto the socket using twisting or screwing movements without straining the socket with up and down movements. The same applies when removing the hoses from the farm connection socket. Please do not simply pull it off!

Note on Digfix: The natural color can vary between green/grey-brown and earth-brown. The color tone has no influence on the quality.

Instructions: (Version 2023, the updated version for 2024 will be available by 04/2024 at the latest)

- DE Gebrauchsanweisung Starter Set Ernteameisen (PDF 2,50 MB)

- EN Instructions for use - Starter Set for Harvester Ants (PDF 2,50 MB)

- ES Manual de instrucciones - Set de inicio para las hormigas de la cosecha _ messor (PDF 2,50 MB)

- FR Manuel d'instruction - Kit de démarrage pour les fourmis moissonneuses_ Messor (PDF 2,50 MB)

Notes on the Cricket Jam:
Our Cricket Jam is an easy way to provide your ants with freshly preserved protein food without having to feed live insects. The contained crickets (Acheta domesticus) have been gently cooked to ensure that nutritional values, taste and aroma are preserved. In addition, the chitinous shell of the insects is softened in this way so that it can be digested more easily. The bonds of the collagen proteins are broken down so that the ants can utilize them better. Canned Acheta domesticus has the same nutritional value as live crickets, but is easier to digest.

The Cricket Jam is not suitable for hunting ant species that require live food. (e.g. ponerines (great ants) such as Harpegnathos or Odontomachus)

Further advantages:
Guaranteed mite-free
Can be portioned and diluted with water
Sterilized and vacuum-packed
Without additives
Crickets from sustainable, purely organic breeding, fed with organic waste

Note:
Can be kept in the fridge for about four days after opening. Longer shelf life if frozen.
Attention: First portion, then freeze.