Messor cf. clivorum

Messor clivorium is a rare Russian species that excists in only two regions in Russia. These ants are comparable with Messor structor and have simular features. 

General
Caring for Messor clivorium is very easy. If this colony is left at piece you should have no problem in raising this colony. It's very important that you don't stress this colony with vibration. The queen is very sensitive to stress and it's recommended to put this species in a vibration free place and only disturb them once a week (or less). 

A tip for keeping Messor is to keep them in the light so you don't have to remove a lid to look at them. 

Food
Messor clivorium are one of the easiest ants to feed. They mainly eat seeds and sometimes sugars that come from fruit, sugarwater or ant jellys. For protein the best food for them is fruitflies, mealworms, crickets and other smaller insects. Protein usually gets accepted once the colony grows larger in size.

If you feed insects from the wild freeze or boil these insects to sterilize them. Skipping this step can introduce mites to your colony.

Humidity
Messor clivorium  needs a damp nest. If you hydrate the nest regularly (once or twice a week) you should have no problem in keeping the humidity right for these ants. Always make sure the ants have an external watersource in the test tube when in a nest.

Temperature
Messor clivorium does not need to be heated. Keeping them at room temperature is more then fine. Heating these ants will speed up the brood progress but is not needed.

Hibernation
Messor clivorium does not hibernate but has a diapause. Keeping these ants around 10-15 degrees during November until March greatly befinits these ants and will stimulate brood production after hibernation.

Sting/bite
These ants don't sting or bite. They are not agressive and will only become more active when disturbed. Major can bite but this is not painful.

The Esthetic Ants mesh nests are perfect for these ants.