Native Honey Ant: The Living Larder

Honey ants (Camponotus inflatus) are found in the arid regions of Central Australia. Certain worker ants — called repletes — are fed nectar and honeydew until their abdomens swell to the size of grapes, becoming living honey storage vessels for the colony. Aboriginal communities (particularly Arrernte, Luritja, Warlpiri peoples of the Central Desert) dig for these repletes — sometimes to depths of 1–2 metres — and eat them as a sweet treat. The distended amber abdomen bursts on the tongue, releasing a honey-like liquid that is lighter, more floral, and more delicate than bee honey.

The replete is a living ant whose abdomen has expanded to approximately 1–2cm diameter, filled with a translucent amber-gold liquid. The ant is eaten whole — the body provides a slight crunch, and then the swollen abdomen bursts to release the stored nectar. The flavour is light, honey-like, with floral and slightly citric notes that vary with the plants the colony has been feeding on.

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