Messor arenarius (Giant Harvester Ant)

Messor arenarius (Giant Harvester Ant)
 
This species of harvester ant (2nd largest in the world) is commonly found in the desert regions of the Middle East and North Africa. Charcoal-coloured and noticeably hairy, especially on the thorax and gaster, these ants have a distinctive appearance.
 
As harvester ants, like other species in the Messor genus, they do exactly what their name suggests - they harvest! Workers form trails, transporting plant seeds and husks from the source to the nest, usually working from dawn to dusk. But there's more to it than just collecting seeds!
 
Once the seeds are brought back to the nest, they aren’t simply stored. Workers, particularly those of the media caste, remove the pulp from the husk, chew it, and combine it with their saliva and enzymes to create a type of "ant bread." This nutrient-rich substance is then fed to the colony’s larvae.
 
In the wild, nests are often found in undisturbed areas, typically under low-lying shrubs or ground plants. They are commonly located near olive trees, at the base of mountain ranges, and in fields on the outskirts of cities where vegetation thrives.
This species is generally docile, making it suitable for beginners.
 
While their growth can be slow, especially in the early stages of colony development, once the colony reaches around 40-50 workers, it begins to grow more quickly. Given their natural environment, these ants benefit from a short hibernation period from January to March.
 
It is illegal and strictly frowned upon to release any non-native ants into the wild.