How to feed Myrmecocystus mexicanus
Myrmecocystus mexicanus is a nocturnal honeypot ant from the US Southwest. Some workers, called repletes, store sugar in their swollen abdomen. So it needs a lot of sugar, with prey as a complement.
What does Myrmecocystus mexicanus eat?
- Sugar (main food): diluted honey or sugar water, refreshed regularly.
- Protein: small prey (fruit flies, cricket pieces), in medium amounts.
- Tip: it is nocturnal, so feed in the evening rather than in full daylight.
How much to feed
Guidelines for a colony with a moderate amount of brood, at 22–28 °C (72–82 °F):
| WORKERS | PROTEIN | SUGAR / 3–4 DAYS |
|---|---|---|
| 10 (Nanitics) | 1 prey item every 5 days | 1 drop |
| 50 (Small) | 4 prey items every 4 days | 3 drops |
| 150 (Growing) | 13 prey items every 3 days | 8 drops |
| 400 (Established) | 31 prey items every 3 days | 21 drops |
1 prey item = one insect the size of a fruit fly (2–3 mm). A medium cricket (1 cm) is worth about 50 prey items. 1 drop ≈ 0.05 mL.
These are starting points. If food is left after 24 h, give less; if everything disappears fast and the brood grows, give more. The calculator also adjusts for brood and temperature.
Hibernation
Light hibernation from December to February, at 10–15 °C.
Common mistakes
- Feeding in full daylight: the species is mostly active at night.
- Keeping the nest humid: it prefers dry conditions.
- Running short of sugar: it is the most important food.
FAQ
What does the honeypot ant eat?
Mostly sugar (diluted honey, sugar water) and small prey for the brood.
When should I feed it?
In the evening, because the species is mostly active at night.
What is a replete?
A worker that stores sugar in its swollen abdomen to feed the rest of the colony.
Amounts and timings are average guidelines, not rules. Always adjust to what you see in your own colony (leftovers, appetite, brood).