Where do honeypot ants store liquid food in their bodies?
Quick Answer
Honeypot ants are found in arid and semi-arid regions, especially in Australia, North America, and parts of Africa. Some workers swell into living food stores inside the nest.
The Full Story
Honeypot ants live in dry habitats where food and water can be scarce, including deserts and scrublands in Australia, North America, and Africa. Certain workers, called repletes, store nectar and other sugary liquids in their abdomens until they become swollen like grapes. These living storage ants hang from the nest ceiling and feed the colony when resources are limited. The behavior is a remarkable adaptation to drought-prone environments. Different honeypot ant species belong to several ant groups, not just one genus.
Key Facts
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