[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":363},["ShallowReactive",2],{"species-sheet-\u002Fde\u002Fspecies\u002Fmessor-ibericus":3},{"species":4,"profile":235,"countryNames":273,"lookalikes":286,"similar":293,"comparisons":334,"posts":341},{"id":5,"authority":6,"colonyStructure":7,"confidence":8,"countries":11,"defense":24,"diet":26,"difficulty":30,"dryHumidity":31,"escapeRisk":10,"estimated":34,"experience":42,"extension":43,"finder":44,"founding":45,"growth":46,"guide":47,"hibernation":48,"hibernationMonths":49,"hibernationTemperature":51,"humidity":54,"image":57,"imageCredit":58,"imageHeight":62,"imageWidth":63,"interests":47,"keptSince":47,"legal":64,"lookalikes":67,"majorSize":52,"maxWorkers":71,"meta":72,"nests":73,"nuptialFlightMonths":77,"nuptialFlightTime":47,"nuptialFlightTriggers":47,"polymorphism":80,"queenSize":81,"regions":83,"relatedPosts":85,"reviewedAt":66,"scientificName":89,"sources":90,"stem":221,"subfamily":222,"temperature":223,"tribe":226,"workerSize":227,"__hash__":229,"slug":230,"genus":231,"nickname":232,"aliases":233,"tagline":234},"species\u002Fspecies\u002Fmessor-ibericus.yml","Santschi, 1925","facultative",{"biology":9,"husbandry":9,"nuptialFlight":10},"medium","low",[12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23],"ES","PT","FR","IT","MT","CH","DE","SI","HR","RO","BG","GR",[25],"bite",[27,28,29],"seeds","insects","sugar",2,[32,33],30,50,[35,36,37,38,39,40,41],"temperature","humidity","hibernationTemperature","nuptialFlightMonths","workerSize","queenSize","maxWorkers","compiled","yml",false,"claustral","fast",null,"recommended",[50,30],11,[52,53],10,15,[55,56],40,60,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fspecies\u002Fmessor-ibericus\u002Fmessor-ibericus.jpg",{"author":59,"license":60,"url":61},"Jonghyun Park (clurarit)","CC BY 4.0","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inaturalist.org\u002Fobservations\u002F242538913",800,1200,{"status":65,"checked":66},"free","2026-10-26",[68,69,70],"Messor structor","Messor capitatus","Messor wasmanni",3500,{},[74,75,76],"ytong","sandwich","acrylic",[78,79],4,6,"polymorphic",[82,52],9,[84],"europe",[86,87,88],"how-to-make-a-ytong-nest","how-to-care-for-messor-barbarus","how-to-hibernate-your-ants","Messor ibericus",[91,97,101,106,113,118,122,126,130,134,138,142,146,150,154,158,163,167,171,175,179,183,188,192,196,200,205,209,213,217],{"type":92,"title":93,"url":94,"covers":95},"reference","AntCat: Messor ibericus Santschi, 1925, valid species (protonym Messor structor var. ibericus, lectotype from Gavà, Catalonia, designated by Steiner et al. 2018, with Messor structor novaki Finzi, 1929 from Dalmatia as a junior synonym)","https:\u002F\u002Fantcat.org\u002Fcatalog\u002F440092",[96],"taxonomy",{"type":92,"title":98,"url":99,"covers":100},"Catalogue of Life: Messor ibericus Santschi, 1925 (AntCat classification: Myrmicinae, Stenammini)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.catalogueoflife.org\u002Fdata\u002Ftaxon\u002F42824",[96],{"type":102,"title":103,"url":104,"covers":105},"paper","Steiner et al. (2018), Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 127: Turning one into five, integrative taxonomy uncovers complex evolution of cryptic species in the harvester ant Messor structor (M. ibericus redescribed as one of the five species once lumped under structor)","https:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.1016\u002Fj.ympev.2018.04.005",[96],{"type":102,"title":107,"url":108,"covers":109},"Juvé et al. (2025), Nature 646: One mother for two species via obligate cross-species cloning in ants (all workers are first-generation hybrids with M. structor fathers, queens clone M. structor males from stored sperm, hybrid workers in 69 Mediterranean populations without M. structor and in Sicily over 1000 km from it, 65 laboratory colonies kept in a room at 25 °C and 40% humidity and fed grass seeds)","https:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.1038\u002Fs41586-025-09425-w",[96,110,111,112],"biology","distribution","husbandry",{"type":102,"title":114,"url":115,"covers":116},"Schlick-Steiner et al. (2006), European Journal of Entomology 103: More than one species of Messor harvester ants in Central Europe (the German populations near Mainz, now assigned to M. ibericus, are reported after Heller 1971 to swarm and keep their colonies strictly separate, unlike the Lower Austrian ones)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eje.cz\u002Fpdfs\u002Feje\u002F2006\u002F02\u002F25.pdf",[110,111,117],"nuptialFlight",{"type":102,"title":119,"url":120,"covers":121},"Lapeva-Gjonova, Gjonov, Kostova and Mifsud (2025), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 98: Vibroacoustic signalling of the Maltese Messor ants, with geographical insights into M. ibericus (range from Spain to Greece and Bulgaria, from Germany at 50° N to Crete and Malta, nests under stones, more typical of lower altitudes than M. structor, workers and queens active at night on Gozo)","https:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.3897\u002Fjhr.98.170415",[96,110,111],{"type":102,"title":123,"url":124,"covers":125},"Giannetti, Schifani and Grasso (2025), Current Zoology 71: An adhesive drone trap to study the flight altitude preferences of winged ants (Messor ibericus nuptial flights on 9 May 2022 and 30 April 2023 between 11:00 and 14:00 at 24 to 25 °C, queens and males caught 60 to 75 m up)","https:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.1093\u002Fcz\u002Fzoaf002",[117],{"type":102,"title":127,"url":128,"covers":129},"Lebas (2021), Osmia 9: Influence des activités humaines sur la répartition des fourmis du genre Messor dans les Pyrénées-Orientales (M. ibericus in gorse scrub, roadsides, banks, vineyards and gardens, largest populations along irrigation ditches, an almost strictly Mediterranean range with a pocket in Germany)","https:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.47446\u002FOSMIA9.9",[110,111],{"type":102,"title":131,"url":132,"covers":133},"Lapeva-Gjonova and Antonova (2022), Biodiversity Data Journal 10: An updated checklist of ants of Bulgaria, after 130 years of research (M. ibericus recorded for Bulgaria by Steiner et al. 2018)","https:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.3897\u002FBDJ.10.e95599",[111],{"type":102,"title":135,"url":136,"covers":137},"Lapeva-Gjonova et al. (2025), Biodiversity Data Journal 13: DNA barcoding of Messor ants of Bulgaria (the COI barcode separates M. ibericus, whose workers are hybrids with M. structor)","https:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.3897\u002Fbdj.13.e168586",[96,111],{"type":92,"title":139,"url":140,"covers":141},"AntWiki: Messor ibericus (told from M. structor and M. muticus by the short first funicular segment and the scape base without a lobe, the smallest queens of the complex, the most common structor-group species in Greece, open habitats, country list, swarming and separate colonies near Mainz)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.antwiki.org\u002Fwiki\u002FMessor_ibericus",[96,110,111],{"type":92,"title":143,"url":144,"covers":145},"GBIF: Messor ibericus, occurrence records by country (Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Greece, Germany, Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Portugal) and the English name Iberian harvester ant from the Catalogue of Life","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gbif.org\u002Fspecies\u002F1316409",[96,111],{"type":92,"title":147,"url":148,"covers":149},"Wikipedia: Messor ibericus (Iberian harvester ant, xenoparity)","https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FMessor_ibericus",[96,110],{"type":92,"title":151,"url":152,"covers":153},"Wikipedia (Spanish): Messor ibericus, hormiga cosechadora ibérica (warm, open and dry habitats such as scrub, grassland, roadsides, open pine woods and olive groves)","https:\u002F\u002Fes.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FMessor_ibericus",[96,110,111],{"type":92,"title":155,"url":156,"covers":157},"iNaturalist: Messor ibericus observations annotated as male (only ten records, several not yet verified, in March and April and again from September to November)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inaturalist.org\u002Fobservations?taxon_id=840243&term_id=9&term_value_id=11",[117],{"type":159,"title":160,"url":161,"covers":162},"careSheet","Ameisenforum.de: Steckbrief Messor ibericus, früher Messor structor (sizes, mostly polygyne colonies that spread by budding, Ytong nest with a damp area and larger dry areas, winter rest from late October to March in Central Europe)","https:\u002F\u002Fameisenforum.de\u002Fviewtopic.php?t=31069",[112,110,111,117],{"type":159,"title":164,"url":165,"covers":166},"formicarium.it: Scheda di allevamento di Messor structor (Italian populations, which recent studies assign to M. ibericus: polygynous colonies, no true nuptial flight, budding, nest at 22 to 28 °C, optional winter rest at 5 to 15 °C, plaster, Ytong or soil sandwich nests, digging into damp plaster, sweet fruit preferred to honey)","https:\u002F\u002Fformicarium.it\u002Fformiche-italiane\u002Fmessor-structor\u002F",[112,110],{"type":159,"title":168,"url":169,"covers":170},"Ants R Us: Messor ibericus starter kit (claustral founding, nest 18 to 26 °C, 50 to 60% humidity, winter rest from November to February at 15 °C)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.antsrus.com\u002Fproduct-page\u002Fmessor-ibericus-starter-kit",[112],{"type":159,"title":172,"url":173,"covers":174},"FormicaMarket: Messor ibericus care guide (nest 21 to 30 °C and 40 to 60% humidity, winter rest at 12 °C, mostly dry Ytong, plaster or 3D-printed nests; its queen size of 14 to 17 mm and summer flight months do not match the other sources)","https:\u002F\u002Fformicamarket.com\u002Fen\u002Fant-database\u002Fmessor-ibericus\u002F",[112],{"type":159,"title":176,"url":177,"covers":178},"Antariums: fiche d’élevage Messor structor (M. ibericus has a slightly shorter first funicular segment and smaller queens, and is kept the same way)","https:\u002F\u002Fv5.antariums.org\u002Fmessor-structor",[96,112],{"type":159,"title":180,"url":181,"covers":182},"Antkeeping.info: Messor ibericus (country list, flights in May and June)","https:\u002F\u002Fantkeeping.info\u002Fants\u002Fmessor-ibericus\u002F",[111,117],{"type":184,"title":185,"url":186,"covers":187},"forum","formicarium.it forum: Regine Messor structor (Marano sul Panaro, Modena, 17 April 2013: winged queens at a nest entrance in the evening without flying, mating on the ground, budding, and keepers noting that lone queens rarely found a colony)","https:\u002F\u002Fformicarium.it\u002Fviewtopic.php?t=6303",[110,117,112],{"type":184,"title":189,"url":190,"covers":191},"formicarium.it forum: Diario di allevamento di Messor structor (an Italian colony of a few thousand workers with 12 dealate and about 40 winged queens, Ytong nest painted with acrylic paint, heat mat, 12 to 15 crickets or mealworms a week)","https:\u002F\u002Fformicarium.it\u002Fviewtopic.php?t=5580",[112,110],{"type":184,"title":193,"url":194,"covers":195},"formicarium.it forum: Formicai in gesso, verticale e orizzontale (an Italian colony of over 3400 workers and about 30 queens, workers tunneling through damp plaster into the water tank)","https:\u002F\u002Fformicarium.it\u002Fviewtopic.php?t=151",[112,110],{"type":92,"title":197,"url":198,"covers":199},"AntFlights: prenuptial flight of Messor ibericus, Madrid, Spain, 31 March 2025 at 12:41 (sunny and calm, not yet confirmed on the site)","https:\u002F\u002Fantflights.com\u002Ff\u002F2373\u002Fprenuptial-flight-messor-ibericus-comunidad-de-madrid-spain",[117],{"type":92,"title":201,"url":202,"covers":203},"EU list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Implementing Regulation 2016\u002F1141, consolidated)","https:\u002F\u002Feur-lex.europa.eu\u002Feli\u002Freg_impl\u002F2016\u002F1141\u002Foj",[204],"legal",{"type":92,"title":206,"url":207,"covers":208},"Wikipedia: List of invasive alien species of Union concern (the listed ants are Brachyponera chinensis, Solenopsis geminata, invicta and richteri, and Wasmannia auropunctata, no Messor)","https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FList_of_invasive_alien_species_of_Union_concern",[204],{"type":92,"title":210,"url":211,"covers":212},"Bundesartenschutzverordnung (BArtSchV), Anlage 1: protected species in Germany (Formica only, no Messor)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gesetze-im-internet.de\u002Fbartschv_2005\u002Fanlage_1.html",[204],{"type":92,"title":214,"url":215,"covers":216},"MITECO: Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species, arthropods (no Messor)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.miteco.gob.es\u002Fen\u002Fbiodiversidad\u002Ftemas\u002Fconservacion-de-especies\u002Fespecies-exoticas-invasoras\u002Fce_eei_artropodos_nc.html",[204],{"type":92,"title":218,"url":219,"covers":220},"Japan Ministry of the Environment: list of designated invasive alien species (Invasive Alien Species Act, no Messor)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.env.go.jp\u002Fnature\u002Fintro\u002F2outline\u002Flist.html",[204],"species\u002Fmessor-ibericus","Myrmicinae",[224,225],22,28,"Stenammini",[78,228],8,"2NvbTb3Jrc90cLU5OCA6PRI_bLVohp5t0YlK9ZVHqas","messor-ibericus","Messor","",[],"Eine behaarte, braune Samenernterin aus Südeuropa, deren Königinnen hybride Arbeiterinnen aufziehen, indem sie die Männchen einer anderen Art klonen.",{"id":236,"title":237,"aliases":233,"body":238,"description":232,"extension":243,"faqs":244,"identification":254,"language":255,"meta":256,"navigation":257,"nickname":232,"notes":258,"path":269,"seo":270,"stem":271,"tagline":234,"__hash__":272},"speciesProfiles\u002Fde\u002Fspecies\u002Fmessor-ibericus.md","Messor Ibericus",{"type":239,"value":240,"toc":241},"minimark",[],{"title":232,"searchDepth":30,"depth":30,"links":242},[],"md",[245,248,251],{"question":246,"answer":247},"Wie kann eine Königin von Messor ibericus eine andere Art zur Welt bringen?","Ihre Arbeiterinnen können nur aus den Spermien von Messor-structor-Männchen entstehen, deshalb ist jede Arbeiterin ein Hybrid, während die Spermien der eigenen Art neue Königinnen ergeben. In den meisten untersuchten Kolonien legt sie diese structor-Männchen selbst: Einige ihrer Eier tragen nur die structor-DNA der gespeicherten Spermien und entwickeln sich zu Klonen ihrer Paarungspartner. In einer Laborkolonie zog eine einzelne Königin sowohl behaarte ibericus-Männchen als auch fast haarlose structor-Männchen auf. Die Forscher nennen das Xenoparie.",{"question":249,"answer":250},"Ist meine Messor-structor-Kolonie wirklich Messor ibericus?","Wenn sie aus Italien, Spanien oder von der Mittelmeerküste stammt, wahrscheinlich ja. Beide liefen unter dem Namen structor, bis eine Studie von 2018 diese Art in fünf Arten aufspaltete, und eine Studie von 2025 fand Messor ibericus in 69 Mittelmeerpopulationen, ohne eine einzige structor-Kolonie. Die Arbeiterinnen auseinanderzuhalten erfordert ein Mikroskop, aber beide Arten werden gleich gehalten.",{"question":252,"answer":253},"Wo lebt Messor ibericus?","Rund um das nördliche Mittelmeer, von Spanien und Portugal über Südfrankreich, Italien, die Schweiz und den Balkan bis nach Griechenland, Bulgarien und Rumänien, im Süden bis Kreta und Malta, mit einem Vorposten bei Mainz in Deutschland. Sie nistet auf warmem, offenem Boden wie Trockenrasen, Wegrändern, Weinbergen und Gärten, oft unter Steinen und auch in Ortschaften, meist in tieferen Lagen als Messor structor.","Rötlich braune bis dunkelbraune Arbeiterinnen in vielen Größen, mit zahlreichen Haaren, matter als die glänzend schwarze Messor capitatus. Sie gleicht Messor structor fast wie ein Zwilling: Nur unter dem Mikroskop zeigt sich ihr etwas kürzeres erstes Fühlerglied nach dem Schaft, und ihre Königinnen sind kleiner, daher ist im Mittelmeerraum der Herkunftsort der beste Hinweis.","de",{},true,[259,262,265,267],{"kind":260,"text":261},"tip","Ein warmes, eher trockenes Nest sagt ihr zu. Das Team hinter der Nature-Studie von 2025 hielt 65 Kolonien in einem Raum bei 25 °C und 40 % Luftfeuchtigkeit und fütterte sie mit Grassamen. Gib ein Wasserröhrchen oder eine feuchte Ecke dazu, halte den Samenvorrat aber trocken, denn zu feuchte Samen keimen, und die Arbeiterinnen tragen sie dann hinaus.",{"kind":263,"text":264},"watchOut","Eine Königin, die neben einem Nest aufgesammelt wurde, schafft es allein vielleicht nie, eine Kolonie aufzubauen. In Italien wurden geflügelte Königinnen beobachtet, die am Nesteingang warteten, statt davonzufliegen, und Halter berichten, dass sie sich am Boden paaren, dann ins Nest zurückkehren oder mit einer Gruppe Arbeiterinnen aufbrechen und nur selten allein eine Kolonie gründen. Sammle zu einer solchen Königin ein paar Arbeiterinnen dazu oder fange mit einer Kolonie an, die schon welche hat.",{"kind":260,"text":266},"Samen sind die Hauptnahrung, für die ersten Arbeiterinnen kleine Löwenzahn- oder Grassamen. Gib Insekten dazu, wenn die Kolonie wächst: Eine italienische Kolonie mit einigen tausend Arbeiterinnen fraß 12 bis 15 Grillen oder Mehlwürmer pro Woche. Süßes, reifes Obst ist meist beliebter als Honig.",{"kind":263,"text":268},"Die Arbeiterinnen graben sich in Gips und Ytong, wo es feucht wird. Eine italienische Kolonie tunnelte sich durch aufgeweichten Gips bis in den Wassertank ihres Nests. Lass deshalb dicke Wände um die Kammern stehen. Ein anderer Halter bemalte ein Ytong-Nest mit Acrylfarbe, und die Ameisen gruben nur dort, wo es unbemalt war.","\u002Fde\u002Fspecies\u002Fmessor-ibericus",{"description":232},"de\u002Fspecies\u002Fmessor-ibericus","zt2Q0KOwPs-7iqhOtUMGlXGHhre87-smvV6_LYeRdKo",[274,275,276,277,278,279,280,281,282,283,284,285],"Bulgarien","Deutschland","Frankreich","Griechenland","Italien","Kroatien","Malta","Portugal","Rumänien","Schweiz","Slowenien","Spanien",[287,289,291],{"name":68,"slug":288},"messor-structor",{"name":69,"slug":290},"messor-capitatus",{"name":70,"slug":292},"messor-wasmanni",[294,309,320],{"slug":290,"scientificName":69,"genus":231,"nickname":232,"aliases":295,"tagline":296,"image":297,"experience":42,"guide":47,"difficulty":30,"workerSize":298,"majorSize":299,"queenSize":300,"temperature":301,"hibernation":302,"hibernationTemperature":303,"hibernationBand":304,"sizeClass":305,"founding":45,"colonyStructure":306,"regions":307},[],"Eine glänzend schwarze Samenernterin mit großköpfigen Majoren, die auf trockenem, steinigem Boden zähe Samen zu Ameisenbrot zermahlen.","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fspecies\u002Fmessor-capitatus\u002Fmessor-capitatus.jpg",[78,228],13,[299,53],[224,225],"required",[52,53],"cool","large","monogyne",[84,308],"northAfrica",{"slug":288,"scientificName":68,"genus":231,"nickname":232,"aliases":310,"tagline":311,"image":312,"experience":42,"guide":47,"difficulty":30,"workerSize":313,"majorSize":52,"queenSize":314,"temperature":315,"hibernation":302,"hibernationTemperature":316,"hibernationBand":304,"sizeClass":305,"founding":45,"colonyStructure":318,"regions":319},[],"Eine braune Ernteameise mit rauer Oberfläche, die ihr Nest mit vielen Königinnen teilt und sich ausbreitet, indem sie neue Kolonien abspaltet.","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fspecies\u002Fmessor-structor\u002Fmessor-structor.jpg",[78,228],[82,50],[224,225],[228,317],12,"polygyne",[84],{"slug":321,"scientificName":322,"genus":231,"nickname":232,"aliases":323,"tagline":324,"image":325,"experience":42,"guide":47,"difficulty":30,"workerSize":326,"majorSize":52,"queenSize":327,"temperature":328,"hibernation":48,"hibernationTemperature":329,"hibernationBand":331,"sizeClass":305,"founding":45,"colonyStructure":306,"regions":332},"messor-ebeninus","Messor ebeninus",[],"Eine glänzend ebenholzschwarze Ernteameise des Nahen Ostens, die ihre Samen oben lagert und ihre Brut weit unten in feuchter Erde aufzieht.","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fspecies\u002Fmessor-ebeninus\u002Fmessor-ebeninus.jpg",[78,228],[50,317],[224,225],[53,330],18,"mild",[333,308],"middleEast",[335,337,339],{"pair":336,"name":69},"messor-capitatus-vs-messor-ibericus",{"pair":338,"name":68},"messor-ibericus-vs-messor-structor",{"pair":340,"name":70},"messor-ibericus-vs-messor-wasmanni",[342,349,356],{"id":343,"title":344,"description":345,"image":346,"categoryText":347,"path":348},"blog\u002Fde\u002Fhow-to-make-a-ytong-nest.md","So baust du ein Ytong-Nest – Anleitung","In dieser Anleitung lernst du, wie du ein Ytong-Nest für deine Ameisenkolonien baust! Das ist eine der besten Nestarten für viele Ameisenarten!","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fbruma_ants_thumbnail_ytong_ant_nest_tutorial.png","Anleitungen","\u002Fde\u002Fhow-to-make-a-ytong-nest",{"id":350,"title":351,"description":352,"image":353,"categoryText":354,"path":355},"blog\u002Fde\u002Fhow-to-care-for-messor-barbarus.md","So hältst du Messor barbarus","In diesem Ratgeber erfährst du, wie du Messor barbarus hältst! Temperatur, Luftfeuchtigkeit, Futter, Überwinterung, Nesttyp … und vieles mehr!","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fbruma_ants_thumbnail_messor_barbarus_care_guide.png","Pflegeanleitungen","\u002Fde\u002Fhow-to-care-for-messor-barbarus",{"id":357,"title":358,"description":359,"image":360,"categoryText":361,"path":362},"blog\u002Fde\u002Fhow-to-hibernate-your-ants.md","So überwinterst du deine Ameisen – Anleitung","In diesem Ratgeber geht es um die Überwinterung: Was ist das? Warum müssen Ameisen überwintern? Soll ich meine Ameisen überwintern? Schauen wir mal!","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fbruma_ants_thumbnail_hibernation_guide.png","Grundlagen","\u002Fde\u002Fhow-to-hibernate-your-ants",1793205515012]