Messor structor is a harvester ant from central Europe. Like Messor barbarus it stores seeds, but it needs a real cold hibernation.
Calculate exact amounts for your colony →Based on worker count, brood and temperature. Free, no account.Guidelines for a colony with a moderate amount of brood, at 22–28 °C (72–82 °F):
| WORKERS | PROTEIN | SUGAR / 3–4 DAYS | SEEDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (Nanitics) | 1 prey item every 5 days | 1 drop (optional) | 0.1 g / week |
| 50 (Small) | 3 prey items every 4 days | 1 drop (optional) | 0.3 g / week |
| 150 (Growing) | 8 prey items every 7 days | 2 drops (optional) | 0.9 g / week |
| 400 (Established) | 19 prey items every 7 days | 4 drops (optional) | 2.4 g / week |
1 prey item = one insect the size of a fruit fly (2–3 mm). A medium cricket (1 cm) is worth about 50 prey items. 1 drop ≈ 0.05 mL. Seeds: 1 g ≈ 170 millet seeds ≈ 750 chia seeds; 1 teaspoon ≈ 4 g.
These are starting points. If food is left after 24 h, give less; if everything disappears fast and the brood grows, give more. The calculator also adjusts for brood and temperature.
November to March, 5–10 °C. Colder than Messor barbarus.
Dandelion, chia, millet, flax, clover, untreated and varied.
Messor structor comes from central Europe and needs a colder hibernation (5–10 °C).
No: without brood seeds are enough. An insect now and then is optional.