Myrmecocystus navajo

Description

Myrmecocystus navajo – desert ‘honeypot ants’ for ant enthusiasts

Myrmecocystus navajo is another example of the famous ‘honeypot ants’ – desert ants in which some of the workers transform into repletes, i.e. living reservoirs full of nectar. Suspended from the ceiling of the chambers, these translucent “honey spheres” look like jewellery hanging in the nest. This is a nocturnal species that prefers dry air, high chambers and peace and quiet. Ideal for the keeper who isn’t looking for ‘just another Camponotus’, but something truly unique.

Detailed description of Myrmecocystus navajo

In the wild, Myrmecocystus navajo inhabits the semi-arid and steppe regions of North America. Nests are built in the ground, often on gentle, sun-drenched slopes. A characteristic feature is chambers with high domed ceilings, the ceilings of which are literally ‘covered’ with repletes – workers who have sacrificed their mobility in order to store food for the colony.

In breeding, this means there are three key requirements:

1. A nest with high chambers – at least 2–3 cm high, so that the nests have room to hang freely.

2. A rough ceiling or mesh – the ropes need something to grip onto; smooth, slippery ceilings are an invitation to falls.

3. A dry, well-ventilated enclosure – as this is a desert species, we control the humidity locally, only in part of the nest.

The colony is growing steadily but surely. At lower temperatures, its growth may slow down noticeably, but it does not go into a typical, prolonged hibernation. The most exciting moment is when the ordinary, slender worker bees begin to transform into ‘honey balloons’ – a sign that the conditions and nutrition are just right.

Advantages of Myrmecocystus navajo

• Spectacular clusters – nothing is quite as impressive as a nest ceiling full of glowing, honey-coloured balls.

• Night-time atmosphere – ideal for evening observations under red light.

• Unique biology – the storage of food in worker bees’ bodies is an excellent educational topic and a real crowd-puller.

• Desert setup – the option to build a formicarium with a ‘dry world’ theme: sand, stones, minimal decoration.

This is a species that not only lives in the formicarium, but immediately becomes its centrepiece.

Characteristics – Myrmecocystus navajo

• Type: honeypot ants

• Size:

  • queen: approx. 9–11 mm

  • worker bees: 3–7 mm

  • replicas: worker bees with an extremely enlarged abdomen

• Appearance: honey-red tones, with a darker abdomen in ordinary workers; the repletes are often translucent, ‘honey-coloured’.

• Lifestyle:

  • mainly night-time feeding,

  • above-ground and underground,

  • highly adapted to drought and fluctuations in food availability.

• Breeding conditions:

  • temperature: 24–28°C, dropping to around 20–22°C at night,

  • nest humidity: 30–50%, ideally with only some of the chambers being humidified locally,

  • environment: dry, well-ventilated, with no condensation.

• Diet:

  • sugars: constant – water with honey, carbohydrate gels, syrups,

  • protein: 1–2 times a week – small insects (cockroaches, gnats, larvae) in small portions.

How to build a suitable formicarium

Socket:

• Choose a breathable fabric – high-quality 3D print,

• Plan for tall chambers with a rough-hewn ceiling or a mesh ceiling – this is absolutely essential for the comfort of the roosters,

• moisten only part of the nest, preferably the lower or side sections; the rest should remain noticeably dry,

• Ensure proper ventilation – keeping the air fresh and dry reduces the risk of mould and dust mites.

Arena:

• a thin layer of sand, possibly mixed with fine gravel,

• a few stones, or perhaps some dry decorations – nothing too overgrown,

• anti-escape barrier (talc) along the edges,

• a designated ‘rubbish bin’ area, which you will empty regularly.

Feeding and service

• Sugars – these are essential. Always available, but in small, fresh portions: honey mixed with water, jelly sweets for invertebrates, special carbohydrate mixes. These form the basis of the supplies in the repletas.

• Protein – once or twice a week is enough: small, portioned insects; excess protein just makes a mess and feeds the mites.

• Water – always available in a water bottle fitted with cotton wool or mesh.

• Cleanliness – remove any leftover food within 24 hours; keep an eye on where the colony leaves its waste and clean that area regularly.

The more you stick to the principle of ‘a little, but often’, the better it is for the health of the colony and the microclimate.

Who is Myrmecocystus navajo suitable for?

This genre is for:

• people who already have experience with other ants,

• growers who like to fiddling with the finer details of their setup – chamber height, ceiling structure, ventilation,

• anyone looking for a real gem in their collection, rather than just another variation on the same theme.

If you enjoy species that are a pleasure to observe and study, Myrmecocystus navajo is just the thing.

Would you like to have a real desert treasure trove in your formicarium – with live, honey-coloured ‘pearls’ hanging from the ceiling of the chambers? Choose Myrmecocystus navajo. Select a nest with tall chambers, set up a dry arena, start with small portions of sugar, and patiently watch as an ordinary colony gradually transforms into something that is hard to compare with any other ant species.