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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
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
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. 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
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
The distinctive nest entrance of the nocturnal honeypot ant Myrmecocystus mexicanus. Huachuca 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
See photo in original gallery.
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013