Myrmecophile-host
Guides
Formica ulkei
Ulke's mound ant, mound-building ant
Formica ulkei is a mound-building ant species in the family Formicidae, described by Carlo Emery in 1893 and named after mineralogist Titus Ulke. The species constructs distinctive thatched mound nests in sandy prairie habitats and has been documented to host a specialized community of myrmecophilous beetles. It occurs in the north-central United States, with historical studies focusing on populations in Illinois and surrounding areas.
Myrmecocystus
North American Honeypot Ants, Honeypot Ants
Myrmecocystus is a North American genus of Formicinae ants comprising approximately 30 described species across three subgenera (Myrmecocystus, Endiodioctes, and Eremnocystus). The genus is one of five globally that exhibits the honeypot ant syndrome, in which specialized workers called repletes store large quantities of liquid food in their distended abdomens. These living food reserves sustain colonies during periods of resource scarcity. Molecular phylogenetic studies indicate that none of the three subgenera are monophyletic, suggesting repeated convergent evolution of key morphological and behavioral traits.
Myrmecocystus semirufus
Myrmecocystus semirufus is a species of honeypot ant in the subfamily Formicinae, native to arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. As a member of the genus Myrmecocystus, this species possesses the characteristic replete caste—specialized workers that store liquid food in their distended abdomens. The species was described by Carlo Emery in 1893 and occurs from the western United States through Baja California and Sonora, Mexico.
Myrmecocystus testaceus
Brick Honeypot Ant
Myrmecocystus testaceus is a nocturnal ant species native to the southern United States, commonly known as the Brick Honeypot Ant. As a member of the genus Myrmecocystus, it possesses the distinctive replete caste—specialized workers that store liquid food in their greatly distended abdomens, serving as living food reserves for the colony. The species nests in sandy soils and has been documented as a host for the myrmecophilous beetle Cremastocheilus.
Neivamyrmex melshaemeri
Legionary ant
Neivamyrmex melshaemeri is a species of legionary ant in the genus Neivamyrmex, which comprises nomadic army ants found primarily in North America. Like other members of this genus, it exhibits specialized predatory behavior and social parasitism of other ant colonies. The species was described by Haldeman in 1852 and represents part of a distinctive radiation of New World army ants.
Veromessor pergandei
black harvester ant, desert harvester ant
Veromessor pergandei is a desert seed-harvester ant native to the southwestern United States and Baja California, Mexico. The species exhibits geographic variation in colony founding behavior: single queens (haplometrosis) in wetter western regions versus cooperative founding by multiple unrelated queens (pleometrosis) in drier eastern areas. Mature colonies contain over 35,000 workers and construct conspicuous nest disks with vegetation-cleared centers and fertile rims. The species plays significant ecological roles as a seed disperser, soil engineer, and prey species.