Messor Hibernation

[IceWhyte]

Hello,

I have been trying to find a bit more information about hibernation but I seem to be finding a lot of varied pieces of info, so what I am wanting to know is what months do the Messors hibernate, what temps should they be kept at and also is it absolutely necessary to drop the temperature for them to mate (as I am aware that the Messors adapt to different temperatures).

Thanks

[Jenny]

Hi,
December and January for hibernation, but they don't fully hibernate. Depending what temperature you keep them at, as ours are in the kitchen and a non central heated room. The ant room never drops below 57f as I have an oil heater on at a frost free temperature. During winter months they slow down anyway, as you will see less and less activity like foraging for food. Late February onwards they will start to lay eggs again. Ours have done well over the last 5years or so we have kept the same Messor colonies.