Myrmecocystus mimicus honeypot ant worker. Note the exceptionally long maxillary palpi emerging backwards from the mouth- these are diagnostic for the genus. Green Valley, Arizona, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

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".

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Myrmecocystus mimicus worker leaving the nest to forage.

Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA

Myrmecocystus mimicus honeypot ant worker. Note the exceptionally long maxillary palpi emerging backwards from the mouth- these are diagnostic for the genus.

Green Valley, Arizona, USA

Myrmecocystus navajo, a night-active honeypot ant.

Willcox, Arizona, USA

Myrmecocystus honeypot ant species come in three basic color patterns, depending on the time of day that they forage. The orange/yellow species such as this M. navajo are nocturnal. These ants were photographed leaving their nest entrance to forage shortly after dusk.

Willcox, Arizona, USA

Myrmecocystus tenuinodis, a small honeypot species that lives in sand dunes and is active in the mornings.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA

Myrmecocystus testaceus

Mojave desert, California, USA

Myrmecocystus mimicus honeypot ant worker. Note the exceptionally long maxillary palpi emerging backwards from the mouth- these are diagnostic for the genus.

Green Valley, Arizona, USA

Canon EOS 50D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 4752x3168 |

Current: 800x534 |

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Keywords: white formicidae formicinae worker ant myrmecocystus mimicus honeypot ant

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