In the villages of Oaxaca, Mexico, locals pull a tiny treat straight from the dirt—an ant so sweet, it stores honey in its belly. Known as chindudis, these honey-producing ants are carefully squeezed for their floral nectar, then released to refill by morning. They’re not crushed, just tapped like nature’s living candy jars. It may sound like folklore, but it’s real. Meet the honeypot ant—the sweetest, strangest pantry that crawls, hums, and fills itself overnight.
Tiny Tanks of Liquid Gold
These aren’t your average ants. Honeypot ants (Myrmecocystus) serve as living storage tanks in desert colonies, their swollen bellies filled with nectar collected by their sisters. Instead of building honeycombs, they store syrup in their own bodies, turning into golden globes of sweetness.
In Oaxaca’s Mixteca region, locals spot their trails, dig below, and find them dangling underground like tiny honey balloons. Gently squeezed for their floral nectar, the ants are released—ready to refill overnight. Nature’s original six-legged honey jar.
Known by Many Names, Loved in Every Tongue
The honey ant isn’t just rare—it’s celebrated under many names across Oaxaca. Known locally as chindudis, tiocondudi, botijas, vinitos, or binguinas, and called tioko ntudi in Mixtec—meaning “honey ant”—this sweet little creature is cherished across communities. During dry seasons, when rain is scarce and sugar is hard to come by, these nectar-filled ants become more than a curiosity. They’re a valued and time-honoured source of nourishment.
And don’t think this is a new TikTok trend. These ants have been a traditional treat for generations, offering not just sustenance but an experience—one part foraging, one part dessert, and one part respect for nature.
Living Dessert With a Job
Why raise a six-legged jellybean? For the ants, it’s survival. In harsh, dry climates, food is unpredictable—so they store it in living vessels called repletes. These nectar-stuffed ants hang from the nest ceiling, feeding their colony when times get tough.
In Mexico, they’re especially prized for their floral flavour and the gentle, non-lethal way locals harvest them. No squishing here, just a sweet collaboration: the ant offers nectar, and in return, it gets freedom to refill.
Believe It or Not, Just Squeeze and Go
If this sounds unbelievable, that’s because it is. Who knew such cooperation between humans and insects could exist, especially for the sake of dessert? But this little-known tradition from Oaxaca proves that even the tiniest creatures can play a sweet role in our world, literally.
So next time someone tells you ants ruin a picnic, tell them about the chindudis—the belly-bulging, nectar-filled wonders of the insect kingdom. Not only do they prove that life finds a way, but sometimes, that way is absolutely delicious.
