Desert Long-Legged Ants (Novomessor cockerelli)

General: Novomessor cockerelli are beautiful, long legged ants from the deserts of the southwest. Queens are bicolored, colonies grow quickly, and workers are aggressive. These ants do not sting.

Diet: Novomessor cockerelli is a heavily protein based species, but also needs some liquid sugars mixed in. Feed LOTS for fast growth. Their sister species, N. albisetosus, eats seeds, but this species (N. cockerelli) is much more hesitant. The best diet for them is constant protein – if the larvae aren’t chewing protein, offer them more!

Temperature: These ants require heating. Their nest should ideally be between 88-95, but provide a heating gradient if possible with cooler and warmer areas. Novomessor cockerelli will not grow much at room temperature.

Diapause: Novomessor cockerelli usually won’t need diapause, but if they do seem to slow down, simply cool them to room temperature or slightly colder for 3-5 weeks. Make sure to still feed the ants, just less. Do not bring them close to freezing.

Growth: Brood development takes 4-7 weeks depending on heating and caste. Colonies can reach over 1000 workers within the first year if fed lots and heated correctly.

Queen size: 11-14mm

Worker size: 7-12mm

If ants arrive in bad condition, contact us for help. Live arrival is guaranteed.