Fun Facts About Ants
Honeypot ants hang from the ceiling of their nests to serve as living food storage units for their colony. These specialized ants, called “repletes,” gorge on nectar and other sugary substances until their abdomens swell significantly, sometimes to the size of a grape. Hanging from the ceiling helps keep them stationary and safe, as they are too engorged to move effectively.
When food is scarce, other ants in the colony will stimulate the repletes to regurgitate the stored liquid, feeding the rest of the colony. This adaptation is particularly useful in arid environments where food can be hard to find, allowing the colony to survive tough conditions.
Desert-dwelling honeypot ants have developed a unique system where worker ants feed nectar to specific ants and the rest of the colony.
These ants’ abdomens become greatly swollen, eventually growing to the size of a small grape. Unable to walk, they hang from the ceiling of the nest. When another ant needs nectar, the bloated ant regurgitates a drop from its reservoir. Honeypot ants are a favored food of Australian Aboriginal people.