Messor cephalotes Care Guide: Keeping the Giant African Harvester Ant
Updated: 1 day ago
Messor cephalotes is the largest harvester ant in the world. It comes from the savannas of East Africa, and its queens are more than 2 cm long. Next to small workers, the colony raises enormous majors with big reddish heads that crack open seeds. Like other harvester ants, it stores seeds in dry chambers and chews them into "ant bread". It is not difficult to feed, but it is a sensitive species that needs warmth all year and a quiet spot. Curious about its life in the wild? Read our Messor cephalotes facts.
At a glance
Origin: East Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania
Difficulty: for keepers with some experience
Colony structure: one queen
Workers: strongly polymorphic, from small workers to giant majors
Growth: depends strongly on warmth
Colony size: large
Temperature: warm all year, heating recommended
Humidity: moist nest area, dry seed storage
Winter rest: none
Most important point: no vibrations and as little disturbance as possible
Appearance and size
Workers come in many sizes, from small workers of roughly 5 mm to giant majors that come close to 2 cm. The majors have huge, muscular heads and strong jaws. Workers are red to dark reddish brown, and the gaster is usually darker. The queen is impressive: more than 2 cm long, with a red head and a dark body.
Where does it live?
Messor cephalotes lives in the dry savannas and grasslands of Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. Colonies dig deep nests in the soil and send out workers along long foraging trails to collect grass seeds. In the hot climate, they are most active in the cooler hours of the morning and late afternoon.
Colony structure and founding
A colony has one queen. After the nuptial flight, a young queen seals herself in and raises her first workers without needing food. Keep a founding queen in a closed test tube in a dark, quiet place and check on her as little as possible. Our test tube guide shows how to set one up. Please note that with a fresh queen, fertility can never be guaranteed.
Growth
Growth depends strongly on warmth. In warm conditions a colony develops steadily, while at lower temperatures growth slows down a lot. The first workers are always small; the giant majors only appear once the colony is bigger and well fed. Every colony is different, so we do not give timelines.
No vibrations, little disturbance
This is the most important point for this species. Messor cephalotes is very sensitive to stress, and the queen in particular. Place the setup somewhere free of vibrations, such as a separate table or a wall shelf, ideally where you can watch the colony without opening a lid. Disturb the colony as little as possible and avoid moving the setup.
Temperature and heating
This is a tropical species that needs warmth all year. Heat one side of the nest, for example with a Heat Mat with Temperature Controller, and always leave a cooler area so the ants can choose. Keep in mind that the setting on a heat mat is not the temperature inside the nest. Watch where the workers keep their brood: that tells you where they feel best. At normal room temperature the colony survives, but growth stalls.
Humidity and water
Keep part of the nest moist for the brood and another part dry for seed storage. Seeds that get too damp can sprout or go mouldy. Always provide an extra water source, such as a water tube in the outworld.
No winter rest
Unlike European harvester ants, Messor cephalotes does not need a winter rest. Keep the colony warm and active all year round.
Feeding
Seeds: seeds are the main food. Young colonies without majors do best with small, soft seeds, such as our Pre-Major Harvester Seed Mix. Once the majors appear, they can crack harder and bigger seeds.
Small portions: do not give too many seeds at once. Sorting and storing a large pile costs the colony a lot of energy. Offer a small amount and add more when the stock runs low.
Protein: insects such as fruit flies, mealworms and crickets help the colony grow, especially once it gets bigger and starts raising majors. Freeze wild-caught insects first.
Sugar: unlike many other Messor species, Messor cephalotes does take sugar. A little sugar water, fruit or Sugar Jelly now and then is welcome.
Water: always keep clean water available.
Hygiene: remove old husks and leftovers from the outworld to prevent mould.
Waste and droppings
Workers carry the husks of eaten seeds out of the nest to a waste pile. Because they eat seeds, they also produce hard droppings, which they smear against the glass of the outworld or collect in an unused chamber of a nest that is too large. This is completely normal, and one more reason not to give the colony a nest that is too big.
Housing
Founding queen: a closed test tube until the first workers arrive.
First workers: connect the test tube to a Mini Outworld to give the colony a small foraging area.
Larger colonies: move the colony to a nest with enough room for the big majors, such as the Avalon Ant Nest. Avoid a nest that is much too big for the colony.
Strong jaws: the majors are strong enough to damage soft materials such as Ytong, plaster and cotton stoppers. Check stoppers and nests regularly for damage.
Escape prevention: not a strong climber, but for larger colonies apply Fluon to the outworld.
Handle with care
Messor cephalotes is not an aggressive species, but the majors can give a painful bite. Work calmly when you open the setup, and never let the ants walk over your hands.
Buy responsibly
Messor cephalotes has been in the news because of large smuggling cases in Kenya. Only buy colonies from a seller who can tell you where they come from. Read more in the Kenya ant smuggling cases explained.
Is Messor cephalotes right for you?
If you want the biggest harvester ant there is, with giant majors and an impressive queen, and you can give it warmth all year and a quiet spot, Messor cephalotes is a spectacular species. New to harvester ants? Then Messor cephalotes vs Messor barbarus helps you choose. Have a look at our Messor cephalotes colonies.
Sources
AntWiki. Messor cephalotes.
Offord, C., Reda, K. and Mateevitsi, V., 2013. Context-dependent navigation in a collectively foraging species of ant, Messor cephalotes. Insectes Sociaux.
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