Large Golden Honeypot Ants (Myrmecocystus mexicanus)

General: Myrmecocystus mexicanus is a large, bright yellow honeypot ant species that grows fast and gets large colonies. This species gets repletes, which hang from the ceiling of nests with gasters full of liquid. They are native to the southwestern US and Mexico. One of, if not the best honeypot ants!

Diet: They require LOTS of access to sugars (honey, sugarwater), and should be fed protein regularly (fruit flies, crickets). Repletes can act as living sugar stores, but sugars should still be offered pretty regularly. Fruit flies are a favorite, as this species prefers to be able to easily carry protein to its larvae in order to feed. If you can’t feed fruit flies, then feed small, movable chunks of protein.

Temperature: Colonies should be heated constantly. ~85-87 degrees Fahrenheit would be best. You should provide a slight heating gradient with a cooler area, but overall, these ants love heat. Make sure they always have ambient moisture!

Diapause: Myrmecocystus mexicanus should not be hibernated. They can keep growing year round if provided heat and food. If you need a break or want them to grow slower, you could remove the heat or cool them down slightly. Never put them in any type of fridge.

Growth: Myrmecocystus mexicanus brood development takes 4-6 weeks for egg to worker. Colonies can get into the hundreds or thousands within the first year, depending on whether or not they are provided proper heating and feeding.

Queen size: 13-15mm

Worker size: 4-13mm

If ants arrive in bad condition, contact us for help. Live arrival is guaranteed.