Honeypot ants store food in their own bodies. Some workers, called repletes, swell with liquid food and hang from the ceiling of the nest as living jars. It is one of the strangest sights in the ant world.
What honeypot ants are
"Honeypot ant" is a general name for several genera. The species we cover is Myrmecocystus mexicanus, the Mexican honeypot ant, from the arid southwest of the United States and parts of Mexico. Repletes develop from the largest workers of the colony. The rest of the colony draws on them when food is scarce.
Setup
- A deep nest with a sandy substrate. One ant-keeping source recommends at least 6–8 inches (15–20 cm).
- Tall chambers, because the repletes hang from the ceiling.
- A secure outworld with a barrier. Ant-keeping sources rate the escape risk as moderate.
- A small water source, but a dry setup overall: the species is adapted to arid conditions.
Nocturnal habits
Workers forage mainly at night, from dusk, and return before dawn. If you want to watch them, look in the evening, and avoid bright light.
Warmth
Ant-keeping sources agree on about 26–29 °C. Offer a warm spot and let the ants choose.
Feeding
Keep sugar water or honey water available all the time, and offer small insects for protein. In nature the ants collect nectar, honeydew and dead insects. See feeding ant colonies.
Winter rest and humidity
Sources are unclear about winter rest, and they give no humidity figure beyond "dry with a water source", so we publish neither. Ask us if you need more.
Who it suits
Ant-keeping sources rate the species Intermediate. It suits a ant keeper who has kept a first colony and wants something unusual that needs a warm, deep setup. See advanced ant keeping.
Frequently asked questions
What is a replete?
A worker that swells with liquid food and acts as living storage for the colony.
Are honeypot ants nocturnal?
Yes, mainly. Foragers are active at night.
How big do colonies get?
In one survey of wild colonies a typical colony held about 5,000 ants. Captive colonies are usually smaller.
See the full Myrmecocystus mexicanus care guide.
Interested in Myrmecocystus mexicanus?
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