Bearded Big Headed Ant (P. barbata)
Pheidole barbata is an extremely impressive, medium/large sized Pheidole from the deserts of the southwest. They have quite impressive majors, much larger than the minor workers. Queens and majors are typically bicolored, being black and orange. The minors can be slightly bicolored as well. Pheidole barbata harvests and eats seeds.
STATES AVAILABLE TO BUY PHEIDOLE BARBATA: Arizona, California, Nevada
Species Info
General: Pheidole barbata is a medium/large, seed harvesting, bicolored ant with majors that comes from the deserts of the southwest.
Diet: These ants primarily harvest seeds for their carbohydrate source, but will drink liquid sugars, especially before getting majors to assist with breaking seeds. Their protein sources can be fruit flies, crickets, mealworms, roaches, or any other non-pesticide source. Protein is still essential for growth. Seeds which ants typically prefer include:
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Sand Lovegrass
- Dandelion
- Chia
- Evening Primrose
Make sure your seeds are mostly natural, without colors or pesticides.
Temperature: Keep these ants heated at around 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit. A gradient must be provided, but these ants likely won't grow well without a heat source.
Diapause: Pheidole barbata likely do not need to diapause. Although they can withstand low temperatures for some periods of time, it isn't necessary. If they begin to slow down growth, take them off of the heat and continue to provide seeds. After about a month or two, they should be ready to continue growth again.
Growth: Egg-worker typically takes 4-6 weeks in these ants. They can reach the hundreds in the first year and likely over 1000 after that.
Queen size: 6-7mm
Major size: 3-4.5mm
Minor size: 2.5-3.5mm
Live Arrival Guaranteed
If ants arrive in bad condition, contact us for help. Live arrival is guaranteed.
SHIPPING INFO
Shipping happens from Monday-Wednesday. During the winter, shipping may cost more due to the need of a heat pack.