Myrmecocystus - # - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography - Insect Pictures

Myrmecocystus is a formicine genus endemic to the arid regions of western North America. Some members of each colony become living storage containers and hang from the ceilings of nest chambers deep underground, their abdomens greatly swollen with food. They are sometimes referred to as "honeypot ants".

gallery pages: 1 2 >

< 1 of 17 >

Myrmecocystus depilis

Portal, Arizona, USA

Myrmecocystus mendax honeypot ant, with pupae.

Chiricahua mountains, Arizona, USA

Myrmecocystus mexicanus. Honeypot ants have an unusual food storage system. Some members of each colony act as living receptacles known as "repletes", these ants become engorged with food and hang from the ceilings of chambers deep underground.

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences

Myrmecocystus mexicanus. Honeypot ants have an unusual food storage system. Some members of each colony act as living receptacles known as "repletes", these ants become engorged with food and hang from the ceilings of chambers deep underground.

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences

Myrmecocystus mexicanus. Honeypot ants have an unusual food storage system. Some members of each colony act as living receptacles known as "repletes", these ants become engorged with food and hang from the ceilings of chambers deep underground.

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences

The distinctive nest entrance of the nocturnal honeypot ant Myrmecocystus mexicanus.

Huachuca mountains, Arizona, USA

The distinctive nest entrance of the nocturnal honeypot ant Myrmecocystus mexicanus.

Huachuca mountains, Arizona, USA

Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA

This worker honeypot ant (Myrmecocystus mexicanus) is slowly being consumed from within by a fungus, visible here as growths extruding from the body and appendages. As soil-dwelling creatures, ants are in constant battle against microbes that thrive in the warm, humid conditions of their nests.

Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA

Myrmecocystus depilis

Portal, Arizona, USA

Myrmecocystus depilis

Portal, Arizona, USA

Myrmecocystus depilis

Portal, Arizona, USA

Canon EOS D60 |

More details: exif |

Original size: 2826x1870 |

Current: 800x530 |

Share photo: links, forums, blogs |

Keywords: bugs ants insect insects hymenoptera ecology formicidae formicinae honeypot ants worker ants myrmecocystus myrmecocystus depilis

gallery pages: 1 2 >

< 1 of 17 >

Comments

|

all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013

Available Feeds

Gallery Photos:

Atom |

RSS