M. Orientalis blocks off entrances to nest

[JoeHostile1]

It could be any of those things you mentioned except for spite. Probably just a natural behaviour that they block off the nest entrance from predators when they don’t have immediate foraging plans. Other reasons that I can think of that you didn’t mention is maybe they blocked it off to prevent air currents from entering the nest. Or they feel the opening was too large.

[AntsLuxembourg]

Hello there.

I know that messor barbarus colonies haven't got but entrances so they prefer to have a small entrance. They probably think your's is much to big. I don't know if Orientalis does the same but it probably is similar to that behaviour. They might not hibernate but perhaps that's their natural behaviour.

Like they needed food so they went to find some. They found food and got it back to the colony. They then stocked up and found they got plenty so they will probably need no more foraging for now and can focus to care for their eggs larvae and puppae. Oh and of course for their royalty.

[AntsDakota]

Hi

I have a Messor Orentalis colony with 20-30 workers in a sand/loam nest connected to outworld.

The have recently discovered the outworld, and been foraging a lot in there.
Then the past 3-4 days, activity has been reduced and today they are working on blocking off the entrance

I have read that this is normal when preparing for hibernation, but this genus should not hibernate..

Do any have any proposals to why.
Humidity, Temperature, time of year, plenty food storage or just to spite me

Any input appreciated
Thanks
Teddy

Sometimes small colonies prefer to have a more concealed enclosure.