Buckeye Myrmecology has been granted permits by the USDA which allow us to ship these ants to many states in the Continental US. All shipments of Novomessor cockerelli will include the relevant permit for your state and information on safe handling and disposal of these ants. States that we are allowed to ship Novomessor cockerelli to are listed below.
STATES AVAILABLE FOR SALE: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.
Shipping Notice: Please note that ants are only shipped on Mondays to prevent colonies from being stuck in the mail over the weekend or exposed to poor weather for extensive periods. Orders placed after 12:00 PM EST on Sunday will be shipped one week later on the following Monday. If you are placing an order for UPS Next Day Air Saver and would like us to ship later in the week, please reach out to us via email. Live arrival is guaranteed, if your ants do not arrive in good condition, please take a picture of the ants and contact us within 2 hours of arrival. Please be available to bring your ants inside upon arrival during hot/cold weather, or ask your local post office to hold them for pickup. Shipping times are estimates, and are not guaranteed.
Species Difficulty: Easy, an active and aggressive species.
Max Colony Size, Growth Speed, and Structure: Colonies of Novomessor cockerelli grow large, reaching over 1,500 workers.1 They also grow quickly, capable of reaching approximately 1,000 workers in two years. Colonies of N. cockerelli are monogynous, with only one queen.2
Worker/Queen Information: Workers are large, approximately 8-9 millimeters long, and resemble their close relatives, the Aphaenogaster genus.2 Queens measure in at 11-13mm in length. Both workers and queens have matte red heads and mesosomas, with large spines and a shiny black gaster. Novomessor cockerelli is monomorphic, with no major caste.
Hibernation/Diapause: This species does not need to hibernate, and doing so is not recommended.
Feeding Requirements: Novomessor cockerelli is partially granivorous, and their colonies will happily accept seeds/nuts as a sugar and protein source. However, these should only be offered alongside other food sources. Colonies require a constant source of sugars, typically either sugar water or honey. They accept common feeder insects for protein, such as superworms, mealworms, dubia roaches, and fruit flies. Proteins should be fed as often as the ants will accept them, or at least once a week.
Heating and Humidity: This species requires a heating cable or mat, and must be kept over 80f. Prefers 85-95f. Medium humidity.
Nesting Habits and Escape Prevention: In the wild, N. cockerelli is found in the open, flat deserts of the southwestern US, building large nests with piles of excavated gravel surrounding the entrance.2 In captivity, they can thrive in many different nest environments, including acrylic, 3D printed, grout, and ultracal nests. Talcum powder, olive oil, and Fluon can be used to prevent escape.
Development Time: Approximately 4-6 weeks egg to worker with proper heating.
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