Dead Messor Colony

[Digital Ant]

Well my original queen and 4 workers I bought from the queenantshop have died, I had them in the big traditional slimline formicarium, they came out of hibernation and seemed to be doing ok. Two of the old workers died and I think they was a couple of new workers hatched. Anyways one of them died and the other disappeared maybe dead. The last week or so the queen haven't been doing anything just stud their, and I see no eggs or larva around. Anyways I've looked today and the queen appears to be dead.
What could of caused this? The grass seeds I bought were "untreated" this was even shown by how fast the fungus would start to grow on them, they never ate any of the insects I put in their also I always splashed them with hot boiling water to be sure. I cannot think what else could of caused this,

[UKantz]

There is never a sure response to this, did you water down you nest every few days? Maybe the Messors had mites. Were the insects you put inside dead or alive? Was mold forming in the formicarium?

It would be helpful if you could provide us with a bit more information.

[Jenny]

Messors are difficult to get going, especially a small colony. It's not easy to say what ants die from, especially after hibernation when they are weak, so it is a calculated guess. Did they actually eat any of the grass seed last year before hibernation as this can indicate whether they will make it or not if they are fed well? Our Messors eat a mixed canary seed, from the pet shop. The insects I catch are from the garden and squashed as ants like to get at the inner fleshy part, some flies I give are partly moving as certain species seem to enjoy the kill! 

Don't give up on Messors as your next colony will probably make it. I believe you live in Spain, so this species is your native one? Lack of warmth shouldn't be a factor, but a dried out nest  could be.

[Wood~Ant]

Mould growing on the seeds? You might have provided the answer here, as mould can be poisonous to ants and their brood. Clearly the granary was too damp, as I have found with the seed containers I use, blue mould and fungal spores grow rapidly on the seeds within a week.
Seeds need to be changed for fresh every 3 to 4 days.

I have raised several Messor barb colonies from newly mated queens, (the 7 sisters from Spain) yet to date only 1 colony from these 7 queens is still alive and thriving. Many ant colonies are destined to fail during their infancy, otherwise they would have to be in competition with others for food and territory.

However, just because one colony fails, another may be very successful. So if at first you don't succeed, keep on trying.  

[Digital Ant]

Thanks for the response, yes I’m from Spain and we get a lot of Messors around here especially I see the Barbarus most often; I don’t really know what the others are called.
All insects I put in the formicarium I made sure I splashed with boiling water first, to remove any unwanted guests, no the formicarium was or seemed ok for mold, I saw a slight little bit on the surface but only what I would expect to see when keeping a load of damp soil, but yes the grass seeds would develop the mold very quickly within a few days, however the container I have the seeds in had no mold.
Before my queen went into hibernation the only food they took was a little boiled ham, the other Messor Queens I have in Test tubes that I caught seem to love the boiled ham and I have seen their egg production increase greatly as a result.
Thanks Again.

[Wood~Ant]

Shane had good results feeding his Messor barbarus with bits of roast chicken. No matter what kind of food you offer, or the type of set up, sadly mould and fungi are a constant source of threat for ants in captivity. 

[Digital Ant]

Thank you, it’s been very helpful. Hopefully I’ll have better luck next time.

[Wood~Ant]

Apr 15, 2013 9:09:32 GMT Digital Ant said:

Thank you, it’s been very helpful. Hopefully I’ll have better luck next time.

Always happy to help, and as we have a lot of members keeping Messor barbs, I really hope you do well in future and maybe make a few journals of the ant species you keep successfully. 

[Wood~Ant]

Apr 13, 2013 17:43:25 GMT Digital Ant said:

Thanks for the response, yes I’m from Spain and we get a lot of Messors around here especially I see the Barbarus most often; I don’t really know what the others are called.

Maybe you could collect newly mated Messor queens and raise some colonies from the start? Many nests have had, or may be having mating flights near you as this is the right time of year for them in Spain.