Bicolored Large Honeypot Ants (Myrmecosystus placodops 01)

General: Myrmecocystus placodops are huge, bicolored honeypot ants from the grasslands of the southwest. These ants love sugars, and create repletes (honeypots) that hang from the ceiling. There is considerable size variation in the workers.

Diet: Myrmecocystus placodops loves liquid sugars, such as sugarwater or honeywater. They also need a protein source to feed their larvae, so fruit flies, crickets, mealworms, or roaches will work. They can lap up the guts from insects and store these in repletes.

Temperature: These ants require heating. A temperature of 79-82 is best, but be sure to provide a heating gradient that includes a cooler area so the ants can regulate themselves. Keep at 80 during founding especially.

Diapause: These ants may diapause in the winter, but it is somewhat optional. If you keep them warm throughout the winter months, they may still continue growing. If they seem to slow down, lower them to room temperature or a little below. Continue to provide sugars during diapause.

Growth: Brood development is standard for honeypots, at around 7-9 weeks from egg to worker. Colonies can reach the hundreds within the first year, and likely 1000+ after that with sufficient feeding and heat.

Queen size: 13-15mm

Worker size: 5-10mm

Repletes much larger 

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