Species: Messor cephalotes
 
Breeding difficulty: Easy
 
Castes : Yes
 
Size :
Queen: 22-23 millimeters
Workers: 3-12 millimeters
Soldiers: 14-22 millimeters

 
Foundation type: Claustrale independent
 
Harvesting area: Kenya 
 
Number of gynes: Monogyne
 
Rearing temperatures: 26-28 degrees
 
Rearing humidity: 60-70
 
Food: Seeds and insects.
 
Hibernation: No
 
Nest type: reconstituted stone, resin plaster, terrarium, cellular concrete
 
Description: Messor cephalotes is the largest Messor species in the world, with the queen reaching over 2 cm in length. In addition to being very large, this is a very colorful species, with both the queen and the workers red in color. Soldiers have very large heads, up to 3/4 mm, the size of the smallest workers. It is also an aggressive species, consuming many insects unlike other Messor species.