Prenolepis melanogaster (Asian Honey Pot Ant)

Prenolepis melaongaster (Asian Honey Pot Ant)

This rare, orange-yellow yellow species is located mainly throughout Southern China. 

They are a very attractive ant that clearly distinguishes itself from many other species by its workers' replete abilities. 

Repletes? What's that about? Similarly but not to the same extent as true honeypot ants of the genera Myrmecocystus spp. workers of this species are able to accumulate and store nutrients in their extended gasters in the form of fat reserves. These are then secreted by these workers when a sister worker stimulates the tip of the gaster by essentially "tickling" it. 

These rather cute ants are found typically in warm, humid forests and grassland. However, with urbanisations rapidly encroaching, many colonies have been found in urban areas such as man-made parks. 

Unlike most Prenolepis species, queens of this species are around 14mm in size instead of 10-12mm, making them one of the largest Prenolepis species. 

They are a very docile and hardy species of ant that is suitable most captive environments. In terms of growth they are quite fast to develop once the colony reaches 20 workers and over. 

It is illegal and strictly frowned upon to release any non-native ants into the wild.