
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Messor aciculatus
Japan's seed-harvesting ant, which collects and stores grass seeds. Active above ground only in spring and autumn; can be kept on seeds, making feeding simple.
Messor aciculatus is a myrmicine harvester ant distributed in Honshu from Iwate southward to Yakushima, and abroad in China, the Korean Peninsula and Mongolia. Workers measure 4-5mm and queens about 10mm; the body is black. It nests in bare ground or open grassland near grasses; the nest consists of an almost vertical shaft with many chambers and can exceed 4m in depth. In autumn it collects and stores seeds of grasses and other plants, foraging above ground in spring and autumn and remaining underground in midsummer and winter. Alates fly on hot, humid, clear days in April-May, and several dealated queens often found a nest together (pleometrosis). Colony founding by dealated queens in captivity has been documented, and because the ants can be kept on seeds alone, keepers are rarely troubled by spoiled food. It offers an easy way to observe seed-harvesting behaviour, which is unusual among Japanese ants.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Japanese Harvester Ant grows to Workers 4-5mm, queens about 10mm.
The ideal temperature for the Japanese Harvester Ant is 23〜25℃.
Origin
Honshu (south of Iwate), Shikoku, Kyushu, Yakushima; China, Korean Peninsula, Mongolia
Size
Workers 4-5mm, queens about 10mm
Temperature
23〜25℃
Sources: AntRoom: How to keep ants (JP) / Wikipedia (ja): クロナガアリ / Japanese Ant Image Database (クロナガアリ)
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Messor aciculatus (Smith, 1874)
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Humidity
60〜80%
Grass and other plant seeds (granivorous); small amounts of insects
Keep at 23-25C, never above 30C. Honshu stock overwinters indoors unheated. A deep soil nester sensitive to drying; keep the plaster or test tube watered.
Alates fly in April-May. Because queens found nests together, several new queens collected at the same site can be placed in one test tube to co-found.
Founding queens are amicable with each other, but workers from other colonies or other species cannot be mixed in.
In the wild it is active in spring and autumn and stays underground in midsummer and winter. Activity slows at times in captivity too, so adjust feeding to consumption.
Because it stores seeds, an overly damp nest lets stored seeds sprout or mold. Offer seeds in a dry foraging area and watch any carried into moist chambers.
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The ideal temperature for Japanese Harvester Ant is 23〜25℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
Japanese Harvester Ant typically reaches Workers 4-5mm, queens about 10mm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Japanese Harvester Ant feeds on: Grass and other plant seeds (granivorous); small amounts of insects. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Japanese Harvester Ant varies significantly depending on bloodline, size, captive-bred generation, and sex. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 15, 2026