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 mimicus worker leaving the nest to forage. Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA