When is hibernation over?

[Byrdie]

Hi, I have acquired a Messor Barbarus Queen, that I have keep in a cool room, I was wondering when will be the right time to bring her out of hibernation and get her into the Formicarium?

I am worrying about her because I don't want her to starve or anything, but at the same time I don't want to bring her out too soon and disturb her natural cycle. At the moment she is in a test tube with water at the bottom and cotton wool on top of that and with a cotton stopper at the top. There is no food or anything in with her.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Thomas2010]

About now, as Messor boom in Feb.

[rubra]

Hmm, Having no experience with Messor B I would say listen to Thomas .

But having said that I think they usually come out of hibernation Mid march.

As said before, Listen to Thomas; He is your best bet!

[Thomas2010]

From all my experiences and research they generally boom in Feb so I would bring her out, my colony has certainly increased in activity recently.

[Byrdie]

Thanks very much Thomas I will bring her out today, I can't wait to see the colony start off.

[Thomas2010]

Please start a journal and keep us posted

[rubra]

Yes ; certainly start a journal from today!

[Internecivus]

Just a word of warning byrdie. I have (and I think many others) tried to keep this species many times and FAILED.
I'n not sure if Limes has done a fact sheet on this species yet, but I would suggest reading as much as you can about this ant.

For one, starting with just a queen and no workers will be extremely difficulty. You must make sure you do not expose your queen to unnecessary light, because M.barbarus get SUPER stressed out and the queen might kill all of her brood! O_O

Please find out as much as you can for this species so that your experience does not end with disaster. I wish you all the best and good luck. Who knows, some people have had great success with this species, but I know I have always had trouble.

OH yeah! And make sure you keep her about 30dc I think (someone corret me here) because she comes from a warmer part of the world.

Good luck. ;D

[Thomas2010]

22+ Inter.

They are quite difficult at first but after 8/9 workers its fine.

[Byrdie]

Thanks Internecivus and Thomas for your help and advice, unfortunatley she is a queen on her own. I am not sure where to start the journal but I will look around and try to find the correct place.