Mendax Honeypots (Myrmecocystus mendax)

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, 6+ 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.