Mendax Honeypots (Myrmecocystus mendax)
Myrmecocystus mendax is a large, red and black species of honeypot ant native to the western United States. These ants, known for their sizable colonies, are active during the day as they roam the desert landscape. STATES AVAILABLE TO BUY: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Utah.
Product Description
Mendax honeypots (Myrmecocystus mendax) are one of the larger species of honeypot ants. The queens are characterized by their bulky shoulders, large eyes, and wide heads. Mendax honeypot ants are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day.
One of the unique features of honeypot ants is their ability to store food in the form of a liquid. Some of the workers, called repletes, are gorged with sweet liquids by the other workers. They become transparent and immobile, and hang from the ceiling like a pot of honey. They are a food storage source for the colony. Repletes store both liquid protein sources from insects and sweet nectar from flowers. They have even been reported to store water.
What’s in the Box
A mendax colony in a test tube. The colony includes a queen, 5+ workers, eggs, larvae and pupae.
Difficulty Level
Moderate.
Growth
In order to grow, heating is necessary in the form of a heat cable or a warm room or closet that is at least 80 F and no warmer than 86.
Diet
Like all honeypots, M. mendax need daily sugars in the form of a liquid such as honey water, or sugar water. We recommend Sunburst. They also need protein in the form of insects to feed their larvae. Offer them a variety of insects such as crickets, mealworms, and fruit flies.
Live Arrival Guarantee
You must choose next day arrival for the shipping method because it is the only guaranteed shipping method to arrive earlier in the day (usually before 12pm). Other policy requirements are here.
Shipping or Local Pickup
We are permitted to ship to the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Utah. Local pickup is in Tempe, AZ.
Casey Lythgoe (verified owner) –
This was our first purchase of an ant colony. Honeypot ants are difficult to come by so this was a great chance for us to buy a small starter colony. Ant gear made the whole process of purchasing the ants and collecting them very easy. And what’s most important is that the colony was easily transferred to the ant farm supplies that we had at home and immediately began to thrive. My son is thrilled and we are enjoying our Honeypot ants. Thank you Ant gear
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Admin Cindy –
Thank you, Casey! We are so happy you had a good experience. It was nice meeting you too.
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