Honey-ant

Guides

• Myrmecocystus mexicanus

  Mexican Honeypot Ant, Mexican Honey Ant

  Myrmecocystus mexicanus is a North American honeypot ant notable for its specialized replete workers that store liquid food in their distended abdomens. The species exhibits obligate myrmecophagy through its close association with harvester ant colonies, which provide carrion as a primary food source. Colonies are long-lived, averaging 8.9 years with maximum lifespans of 23 years. Nuptial flights occur in late July following rainfall, with queens founding new colonies in open, sun-exposed locations.

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