Myrmecocystus

Myrmecocystus is a genus of ants belonging to the subfamily Formicinae, commonly known as honeypot ants. These ants are characterized by their specialized caste of repletes, or "honeypots," which serve as living food storage. Repletes have significantly enlarged gasters, which they fill with liquid food, primarily nectar collected by foraging ants. When resources are scarce, other ants in the colony can feed on the stored liquids by regurgitating them from the repletes. This unique adaptation allows Myrmecocystus colonies to survive periods of drought and food scarcity.

The genus Myrmecocystus is found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America, particularly in deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. They typically nest in the ground, often creating extensive underground tunnel systems. Foraging activity usually occurs during cooler parts of the day, such as dawn and dusk, or at night, to avoid the extreme heat of their desert environment. Their diet consists mainly of nectar and honeydew, but they will also scavenge for dead insects and other small invertebrates.

The social structure of Myrmecocystus colonies is typical of ants, with a queen responsible for reproduction, sterile female workers that perform various tasks, and the specialized repletes. The number of repletes can vary depending on the colony's size and the environmental conditions. The presence of repletes is a defining feature of this genus and has made them a subject of interest for entomologists studying ant biology and social evolution. Some species have been observed to form symbiotic relationships with other desert organisms.