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Honeypot ants

Myrmecocystus sp.

Photo by Aaron_G
Published on Project Noah
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32.2217, -110.926

Field Notes

Description:

Myrmecocystus is a North American genus of ants. It is one of five genera that includes honeypot ants. Worker ants keep and tend plerergates, which are other ants that store large quantities of nutritious fluid in their abdomens to feed the colony during famine times. (information from Wikipedia)

Habitat:

Resort trail

Reference Links:

Myrmecocystus, Genus Myrmecocystus - Honeypot Ants - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Honeypot ants

Myrmecocystus sp.

Reference Link
BugEric
1

Comments (7)
Aaron_G
I honestly don't recall, sorry. I just looked up the genus and the workers range from 3-7mm in length.
Leuba Ridgway
They are quite high off the ground aren't they ? Yes, great to see a honeypot ant on PN -Well done, Aaron !
Aaron_G
Aw, I had always wanted to see honeypot ants and I finally did... but didn't realize it!
BugEric
M. mendax is a good possibility. Several honeypot ant species are nocturnal.
LaurenZarate
Great photos! That last ant has a cute personality!
Jellis
It's either the Dorymyrmex bicolor or Formica perpilosa

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
The Color Red
Mission
Hymenoptera of the world -- bees, ants and all their friends
Mission
Arthropoding around the arizona
Photographed
PublishedMarch 20, 2014

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