Citrus Honeypot Ants (Myrmecocystus kennedyi)

General: Myrmecocystus kennedyi are beautiful, large honeypot ants from the western US. Their queen is citrus orange and the workers are bicolored black and red. They get repletes and grow quickly.

Diet: Myrmecocystus kennedyi loves liquid sugars, such as sugarwater or honeywater. They also need a protein source to feed their larvae, so fruit flies, crickets, mealworms, or roaches will work. They can lap up the guts from insects and store these in repletes. The best protein to feed them is fruit flies, as the larvae do prefer to eat directly from the food source.

Temperature: These ants require heating. A temperature of 79-84 is best, but be sure to provide a heating gradient that includes a cooler area so the ants can regulate themselves. Keep at 80 during founding especially.

Diapause: These ants may diapause in the winter, but it is somewhat optional. If you keep them warm throughout the winter months, they may still continue growing. If they seem to slow down, lower them to room temperature or a little below. Continue to provide sugars during diapause.

Growth: Brood development is standard for honeypots, at around 7-9 weeks from egg to worker. Colonies can reach the hundreds within the first year, and likely 1000+ after that with sufficient feeding and heat.

Queen size: 11-13mm

Worker size: 4.5-8mm

Repletes much larger

If ants arrive in bad condition, contact us for help. Live arrival is guaranteed.