{"title":"Intermediate Ant Colonies","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKEEPER.\u003c\/strong\u003e You've founded your first colony and you're ready for more. These species ask a little more of you — honeypots that need regular feeding, polygynous colonies with multiple queens, and faster-growing genera — and they reward it with some of the most spectacular ants in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom their chamber to your door.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"myrmecocystus-semirufus","title":"Myrmecocystus Semirufus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMyrmecocystus semirufus\u003c\/strong\u003e — an enchanting honeypot with warm reddish-brown coloration and the genus’s signature living larders. A mesmerizing, rewarding colony for keepers drawn to the honeypots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou'll receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e a fresh-caught, mated queen with brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFounding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully claustral — the queen raises her first workers entirely on her own reserves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sugars and nectar to fuel the repletes, plus insect protein for the brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft reddish-brown hues that deepen as the colony matures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative range:\u003c\/strong\u003e California and the arid southwestern U.S.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e An approachable, rewarding honeypot for keepers ready to dive in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom their chamber to your door — shipped with care by Royal Chamber Ants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew to this species?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/care-myrmecocystus-semirufus\"\u003eRead our full Semirufus care guide →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Chamber Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48593372873009,"sku":"","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0869\/0375\/0961\/files\/Screenshot-20240326_192311_Discord.jpg?v=1711506743"},{"product_id":"pogonomyrmex-californicus","title":"Pogonomyrmex Californicus group of 5+ (Polygynous Coastal Concolor)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePogonomyrmex californicus\u003c\/strong\u003e — the California harvester ant, coastal \u003cem\u003econcolor\u003c\/em\u003e form. One of the most rewarding harvesters you can keep, and this coastal concolor variety carries a standout trait: it founds \u003cstrong\u003epolygynously\u003c\/strong\u003e, meaning multiple queens cooperate to build a single colony — faster early growth and a more resilient founding stage than single-queen species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou'll receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5+ fresh-caught, mated queens with brood — founded polygynously.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFounding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully claustral — queens seal themselves away and raise the first workers on their own reserves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolygyny:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coastal concolor populations readily accept multiple queens, so this variety can be raised with several foundresses together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Granivorous — a seed mix is the staple, supplemented with insect protein for the brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative range:\u003c\/strong\u003e California and the arid southwestern U.S.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy and forgiving — a great step up from a first colony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHandle with respect:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePogonomyrmex\u003c\/em\u003e deliver one of the most potent stings in the insect world. Keep the colony secure and handle with care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom their chamber to your door — shipped with care by Royal Chamber Ants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew to this species?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/care-pogonomyrmex-californicus\"\u003eRead our full California Harvester care guide →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Chamber Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49566062641457,"sku":"","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0869\/0375\/0961\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_7057d4df-f23a-4ee1-89cc-ba6399c228a8.jpg?v=1781379476"},{"product_id":"myrmecocystus-placodops","title":"Myrmecocystus Placodops","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMyrmecocystus placodops\u003c\/strong\u003e — the jewel in the honeypot crown. Prized for its rich cherry-red coloration and fast growth, \u003cem\u003eplacodops\u003c\/em\u003e is a must-have for any serious \u003cem\u003eMyrmecocystus\u003c\/em\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou'll receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e an established colony with a queen, workers, and brood — past the fragile founding stage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFounding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully claustral — and your colony arrives already established, so you skip the riskiest stage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast-growing for a honeypot, rewarding keepers with a thriving colony sooner.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sugars and nectar to fuel the repletes, plus insect protein for the brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standout cherry-red workers — among the most beautiful in the genus.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arid southwestern U.S.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom their chamber to your door — shipped with care by Royal Chamber Ants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew to this species?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/care-myrmecocystus-placodops\"\u003eRead our full Cherry-Red Honeypot care guide →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Chamber Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53154686959921,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0869\/0375\/0961\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_b265960e-baf6-454a-b107-26f788c8ae61.jpg?v=1773335221"},{"product_id":"myrmecocystus-kennedyi","title":"Myrmecocystus Kennedyi","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMyrmecocystus kennedyi\u003c\/strong\u003e — a striking red-and-black honeypot and one of the most beginner-friendly honeypots you can keep. Hardy, forgiving, and a perfect entry point into the world of repletes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat you’ll receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e An established colony with up to 10 workers plus brood — already past the fragile founding stage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFounding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully claustral, and your colony arrives already started, so you skip the riskiest phase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sugars and nectar — the fuel their famous repletes store — supplemented with insect protein for the brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandy deserts of the southwestern U.S.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beginner-friendly and hardy — an excellent first honeypot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom their chamber to your door — shipped with care by Royal Chamber Ants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew to this species?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/care-myrmecocystus-kennedyi\"\u003eRead our full Citrus Honeypot care guide →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Chamber Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53923103867185,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0869\/0375\/0961\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_e62171ed-384c-4d11-b792-f289702cadf9.jpg?v=1781392539"},{"product_id":"myrmecocystus-mexicanus","title":"Myrmecocystus Mexicanus","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the hobby’s crown jewels. Golden Honeypot queens found fully claustrally and grow into visually stunning colonies famous for their repletes — workers swollen with stored nectar, hanging like amber beads from underground chamber ceilings.\u003cbr\u003eQueens display rich gold and mahogany coloration. Workers are polymorphic, ranging from tiny minors to the iconic balloon-bodied repletes that make this species unforgettable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou'll receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e a fresh-caught, mated queen with brood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQueen: 16–19 mm\u003cbr\u003eFounding: Fully claustral\u003cbr\u003eTemp: 24–30 °C warm \/ 18–22 °C cool\u003cbr\u003eDifficulty: Intermediate\u003cbr\u003eDiet: Sugars + live or frozen insects\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew to this species?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/care-myrmecocystus-mexicanus\"\u003eRead our full Gold Honeypot care guide →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Chamber Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54464172917041,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0869\/0375\/0961\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_75a7e2e2-e9bc-4b1a-8a50-1340873f5e42.jpg?v=1780945331"},{"product_id":"pogonomyrmex-maricopa","title":"Pogonomyrmex maricopa (Maricopa Harvester Ant)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePogonomyrmex maricopa\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Maricopa Harvester Ant — a striking Sonoran-desert harvester famous among keepers for one of the most potent stings in the ant world. A bold, rewarding species for the keeper who respects it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou'll receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e a fresh, fully claustral queen with brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFounding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully claustral.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seeds plus insect protein.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRange:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arizona and the Sonoran Desert.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intermediate — hardy, but the sting demands respect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e Famous for an exceptionally potent venom — keep the setup escape-proof and handle with care.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eNew here? Read our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/care-pogonomyrmex-maricopa\"\u003eMaricopa Harvester care guide →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom their chamber to your door — shipped with care by Royal Chamber Ants.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Chamber Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54670288388401,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"myrmecocystus-christinae","title":"Myrmecocystus christinae — Polygynous Honeypot Colony (2+ Queens)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMyrmecocystus christinae\u003c\/strong\u003e — a smaller, elegant western honeypot ant, offered as an \u003cstrong\u003eestablished polygynous colony\u003c\/strong\u003e. Several queens lay together in one nest, so your colony arrives past the fragile founding stage and ready to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou'll receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e an established colony with \u003cstrong\u003e2+ egg-laying queens\u003c\/strong\u003e plus workers and brood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStructure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Polygynous — multiple queens cohabiting, for faster, steadier growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sugars \u0026amp; nectar (kept available at all times) plus insect protein.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamous for:\u003c\/strong\u003e repletes — living storage workers that swell with golden nectar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intermediate — warm, dry, and sugar-rich is the recipe.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to honeypots? Read our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/care-myrmecocystus-christinae\"\u003eMyrmecocystus christinae care guide →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom their chamber to your door — shipped with care by Royal Chamber Ants.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Chamber Ants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54827516002609,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/rcants.com\/collections\/intermediate-ant-colonies.oembed","provider":"Royal Chamber Ants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}