Messor hebraeus is a beautiful, colorfully interesting harvester ant species from the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. What makes this species special: Compared to the purely black Messor barbarus, queens and especially the large Major workers often show a beautiful, reddish to dark brown coloration on the head and thorax.
Keeping Messor hebraeus is an absolute spectacle. You can closely observe how the small Minor workers carry in fine grass seeds, while the bulky Majors use their powerful mandibles to crack the hard grains to produce the life-sustaining "ant bread" for the brood. Thanks to their grain diet, this species is also extremely easy to care for, as it can go a long time without fresh insects.
