Myrmecocystus mendax (Honeypot ants)
| Latin Name: |  |
Myrmecocystus mendax |
| Trivialname: |  |
Honeypot ants |
| Taxonomy: |  |
Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini |
| Keeping Level: |  |
(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention |
| Distribution: |  |
Southwestern United States, Mexico |
| Habitat: |  |
varity of xerothermic habitats from woodland, savanna to grass- and scrubland |
| Colonyform: |  |
monogyne |
| Queen: |  |
Size: 9 - 10mm Colour: head and Throax yellowish red, Gaster black, bulky thorax |
| Worker: |  |
minor - size 4 - 5,5mm Colour: head and Throax reddish brown to reddish yellow, Gaster black major - size 6 - 7mm Colour: head and Throax reddish brown to reddish yellow, Gaster black |
| Soldier: |  |
not present |
| Males: |  |
Size: 5 - 6mm Colour: blackish brown |
| Nutrition |  |
Honeywater, Insects e.g. Flies or Mosquitos or small crickets |
| Airhumidity: |  |
Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70% |
| Temperature: |  |
Arena: 21 - 40°C Nestpart: 28 - 35°C |
| Hibernation: |  |
yes |
| Nestform: |  |
Nest in stony, clay soil beneath stones, often on hill slopes |
| Kind of Formicaria: |  |
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest |
| Formicaria size: |  |
Size: M - L |
| Substrate: |  |
Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam |
| Planting: |  |
similar to meadow and savanna |
| Decoration: |  |
Branches, Roots, leaves, |
| Description: |  |
This beautiful ants are known for there honeypots. Special worker which are used as foodstorage. They are very active and aggressive but show espacialy in the beginning a slow colony development. |
| Development: |  |
matingflight: founding: claustral (without feeding) colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals |
| Quantity: |  |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
| Weblinks: |  |
- Forum - Reference |