Messor Barbarus is a species of harvester ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is found In Southern Europe and Northern Africa.
This species is a highly granivor ant which collects all kinds of small seeds and chew them into so- called antbread. Most of their waterrequirements are covered by seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor barbarus tends to drown in open water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.
