Messor nondentatus

These ants are granivores, meaning that the main part of their diet consists of seeds. They chew these seeds and mix it with moisture in order to make a kind of paste-like substance that people often refer to as ‘ant bread’. They get most of their required nutrients from their seeds, but because their seeds don’t contain enough protein it is recommended to give them feeder insects regularly to make up for that. A fresh water source is also highly recommended.

Many antkeepers have reported that these ants tend to store their seeds in or near humid parts of their nest, causing the seeds to germinate. You do not want this, so it might be a good idea for you to chop the seeds up first before giving it to them. The seeds will still be accepted but they won’t germinate anymore. Other than that they’re quite easy to keep and are actually slightly more stress resistant than the infamous Messor barbarus.

Size & colony type
Queen: aprox. 12mm
Workers: aprox. 4mm – 13mm
Soldiers: n/a
Colony type: monogyne
Colony size: about 7,000 – 9,000 workers per colony
Keeping difficulty: Fairly easy.

Habitat
Distribution: China
Habitat: often found in sandy area’s
Natural nest: they often build their nests underground and under rocks
Suitable formicaria: Ytong-, plaster-, 3D- and acrylicnests are all suitable for this species
Recommended humidity: 50% – 70%
Recommended temperature: 22°C – 26°C
Nutrition: Mainly grass seeds and sometimes a protein source such as prey insects like crickets or fruitflies. Insect jelly is also a suitable feeder since it contains both sugar and protein and varius other beneficial components

Misc
Hibernation: yes, from eind of november till the end of february
Claustral: yes, no need to feed until the first workers arrive
Matingflight period: september – november
Egg to worker: 7 to 9 weeks depending on how they are being kept