Messor Barbarus - Beginner Species - Medium to Large in Size
 
This species is one of the most common Harvesters in the European continent. Found throughout central and southern Europe they are typically all black with a deep purple/red head, sometimes you can find combinations of red on the gaster, throrax as well. This is especially true in the queens and large major workers. However the minors and media workers normally lack this red trait. Either way, casting a light over a Barbarus colony is always set to be unique to that colony in its colouring.
 
These ants in particular made news headlines all over spain when farmers believed they were stealing their seeds and began a cull only to realise they actually play a massive part of the ecosystem and benefit the production for crop farmers completely. Messors will carry the seeds on their own roads back to the colony, sometimes up to 100ft away.
 
This process causes seed dispersal and helps airate the soil within their nests. It has been rumoured that a Messor will even plant seeds outside the nest, we dont know if this is for idleness, to germinate them for the soft srout, to hide their nest or to secure future seeds. either way you will be able to draw your own conclusions when you watch them yourself.
 
Harvested seeds are eaten by the ants, using the large Majors jaws to de-shell them. They are then chewed into a protein rich food source known as "ant-bread". It is this antbread these ants get 90% of their nutrients from.
 
In the wild, nests are often found amongst low lying shrubs and ground dwelling plants typically associated with Olive groves and land unhindered by humans, wherever there are plants which seed, Messors will be somewhere nearby.
 
Colony Size
Excess of 10,000 workers
Slow growth until 30 to 50 workers, colony will grow rapidly with the first Majors.
Queen Age
Up to 30 years
Temperature & Humidity
22 to 25 degrees nest | 23 to 27 outworld
50% to 70% Nest (Lower for seed store) | 30% to 50% outworld
Hibernation
Yes - November to Feb
Polymorphic (Different size casts)
Yes
Sting
No
Bite
Yes
Diet
Seeds, Nuts, Grains, Occasional Sugar, Occasional extra protein.
Nest Type
Natural, Acrylic, Sand, Earth, Glass
Size
Queen - 14mm-18mm
Worker - 3mm-16mm
Polymorphic - Yes, Majors can be almost as big as the Queen 
Development
Egg to Adult Worker - 8 to 10 weeks