Myrmecocystus Wesmael

Ward, P. S., 2005, A synoptic review of the ants of California (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 936, pp. 1-68 : 29-30

Genus Myrmecocystus Wesmael

These are the well-known “honeypot ants”, whose colonies include a subgroup of specialized workers (repletes) devoted to storage of liquid food in their swollen abdomens. Species of Myrmecocytus are restricted to the western United States and northern Mexico and are found primarily in desert habitats. Snelling’s (1976) landmark revision of the genus also contains much useful biological information.

Species identification: keys in Snelling (1976, 1982b). Additional references: Diniz-Filho and Fowler (1998), Duncan and Lighton (1994a, 1994b), Hölldobler (1976b, 1986), Kay and Whitford (1978), Kronauer et al. (2003, 2004), Lloyd et al. (1989), Rissing (1984), Snelling (1969b, 1971a), Snelling and George (1979), Smith (1979), Wheeler and Wheeler (1986g).