2 replies to this topic

[Kristijan]

Hi! I was wondering how long I should diapause my Messor wasmanni colony and at what temperature, also I read somewhere that Messors don't always need diapause, is that true?

The area of origin is Split

[Serafine]

If you don't know because your ant species covers such a wide area and the seller didn't tell you where it's from the best thing you can do is to watch your ants.

 

When they are ready for hibernation your ants' food intake will go down (especially the protein intake, sugar not that much), the ants will be less active (maybe even a bit sluggish) and there will be a distinct lack of pupae in the nest(s).

 

Some colonies from mediterranean regions (like for example Messor barbarus or Camponotus barbaricus) may also just skip their regular hibernation dates and start at a later date. If you keep them at a constant temperature (aka don't put them somewhere cold) there's a good chance they will start a sort-of-hibernation at random times and those periods of stagnation (no or only very few pupae) may take longer than usual, sometimes more than year, before they switch back into active mode.

[Kristijan]

Yes thank you, I also have Camponotus barbaricus so this is useful for that as well, as I said the area of origin is Split meaning I know where they're from