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pogolumina  > Other ants > Atta mexicana [leafcutters]
Images of Atta mexicana leaf-cutting ants in Mazatlán, Mexico.
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pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/26/12 8:48AM sunny, air temp: 23°C / 73°F An Atta mexicana leafcutter ant carrying the flag-like leaflets of a Mesquite tree. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/28/12 9:59AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 75°F [IMAGE 1 of 4] While they sometimes retrieve leaves and other plant parts that are lying on the ground, Atta mexicana ants are more often seen actively cutting manageable pieces out of fresh leaves. In this image, one worker (at left) is busy slicing out a portion of the leaf with her sharp mandibles, while a nestmate briefly walks up from the other side. The second worker quickly left, and found an unoccupied leaf of her own to cut. This evergreen plant, 'Nanche de la costa' (Ziziphus sonorensis) was the only plant with fresh green leaves in the immediate vicinity at this time of year. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/28/12 9:59AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 75°F [IMAGE 2 of 4, also see previous image] This Atta mexicana worker continues the process of removing a section from a leaf. She is cutting in an upward direction using her left mandible as an anchor, as her right mandible slices through the thick material. This evergreen plant, 'Nanche de la costa' (Ziziphus sonorensis) was the only plant with fresh green leaves in the immediate vicinity at this time of year. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/28/12 10:00AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 75°F [IMAGE 3 of 4, also see previous two images] The toiling Atta mexicana worker is nearing the completion of her task. She continues to cut the leaf using her left mandible as an anchor, while slicing with her right mandible. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/28/12 10:05AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 75°F [IMAGE 4 of 4, also see previous three images] Our intrepid Atta mexicana worker has successfully removed her leaf section. Climbing over to the other side, she now begins the journey back to the nest - carrying her cargo. This will involve climbing down the plant from a height of about 1.5 m / 5 feet, and traveling across about 4.5 m / 15 feet of open ground. Scroll down to find out what they do with the leaves... [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/24/12 11:21AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F Crossing the wet ground with a piece of leaf she just removed from a plant, this Atta mexicana worker heads back to the nest entrance. The leaf-piece measures about 2.5 cm / 1 inch on its longest dimension, a relatively huge burden for this ant. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/24/12 12:14PM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F A very small Atta mexicana worker explores the tip of a leaf that has already been cut multiple times by her nestmates. Typically, we saw minor workers of this size performing nest maintenance duties - bringing excavated soil up from the subterranean portions of the nest. These smaller workers also work inside the nest to 'process' incoming vegetation, as well as taking care of the developing brood. Sometimes, they will even ride along on top of a leaf that is being carried back to the colony by a nestmate. By doing so, they ward off attacking parasitic flies attempting to lay eggs on the burdened (and therefore mostly defenseless) workers. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/26/12 8:49AM sunny, air temp: 23°C / 73°F In addition to the more numerous media and minor workers, one may occasionally see an enormous major worker, like this one. Scroll down for more info... ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: The very largest colony members are the majors (also referred to as soldiers). These giants are much larger than the previously mentioned media and minor workers. Fewer in number than the other physical subcastes, the soldiers serve mainly as defenders, protecting the colony - especially from vertebrate threats, and in some species, from raiding army ants. They can also be seen 'patrolling' the long foraging columns of media workers. Their extremely powerful mandibles are their defensive weapons - these ants do not sting. At times, these specialized defenders also help with moving larger pieces of vegetation, and slicing fruit into manageable pieces.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/24/12 10:29AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 75°F Though most often seen carrying leaves, or cut pieces of leaves, Atta mexicana workers also bring other plant parts into the nest to serve as the basis for their fungus gardens. They are also quite flexible when it comes to which plant species are harvested. Because of the way they carry their burdens over their heads, these ants (and other closely-related species in the genus Atta) are sometimes referred to as 'parasol ants'. The workers of this particular colony were using the lower, horizontal part of a galvanized chain link fence as a 'highway' to travel to and from their nest. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/26/12 9:08AM sunny, air temp: 23°C / 73°F [IMAGE 1 of 2] An Atta mexicana nest/colony can have dozens of entrances. Some tunnels can run underground for 60 m / 67 yards or more, and emerge close to a reliable source of leaves. Multiple entrances have also been shown to provide ventilation for the sometimes enormous underground nests. Especially in younger, rapidly growing colonies, new subterranean galleries and tunnels are constantly being added, and expanded. The excavated soil from all of this digging is brought to the surface and dumped - resulting in volcano-like craters up to approx. 30 cm / 1 ft in height, with entrance holes in their centers (older colonies that are not expanding may show little to none of the these external surface craters - their entrance holes being unadorned, and sometimes difficult to spot). Most of these soil-excavating duties appear to be carried out by the smaller media, and minor workers. As can be seen in this image, the soil is usually moist and clumped when brought up from below (making it very easy to transport), but dries quickly when exposed to the sun and air. Note: in addition to excavated soil, Atta mexicana (and some other Atta species) also bring to the surface and dump the organic refuse from their underground fungus-garden chambers. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: ·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA, Belknap/Harvard Press·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 2011. The Leafcutter Ants; Civilization by Instinct. W.W. Norton & Company, New York & London·Mintzer, A.C. Changes Over 20 Years in Populations of the Mexican Leafcutting Ant, Atta mexicana, at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona. National Park Service and Western National Parks Association ·Mintzer, A.C. 1979. Foraging Activity of the Mexican Leafcutting Ant Atta mexicana (F. Smith), in a Sonoran Desert Habitat (Hymonoptera, Formicidae). Insectes Sociaux, Paris, Volume 26, No. 4, pp. 364-372
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/28/12 11:45AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 75°F [IMAGE 2 of 2] An Atta mexicana nest/colony can have dozens of entrances. Some tunnels can run underground for 60 m / 67 yards or more, and emerge close to a reliable source of leaves. Multiple entrances have also been shown to provide ventilation for the sometimes enormous underground nests. Especially in younger, rapidly growing colonies, new subterranean galleries and tunnels are constantly being added, and expanded. The excavated soil from all of this digging is brought to the surface and dumped - resulting in volcano-like craters up to approx. 30 cm / 1 ft in height, with entrance holes in their centers (older colonies that are not expanding may show little to none of the these external surface craters - their entrance holes being unadorned, and sometimes difficult to spot). Most of these soil-excavating duties appear to be carried out by the smaller media, and minor workers. Note: in addition to excavated soil, Atta mexicana (and some other Atta species) also bring to the surface and dump the organic refuse from their underground fungus-garden chambers. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: ·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA, Belknap/Harvard Press·Hölldobler, B. & E.O. Wilson. 2011. The Leafcutter Ants; Civilization by Instinct. W.W. Norton & Company, New York & London·Mintzer, A.C. Changes Over 20 Years in Populations of the Mexican Leafcutting Ant, Atta mexicana, at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona. National Park Service and Western National Parks Association ·Mintzer, A.C. 1979. Foraging Activity of the Mexican Leafcutting Ant Atta mexicana (F. Smith), in a Sonoran Desert Habitat (Hymonoptera, Formicidae). Insectes Sociaux, Paris, Volume 26, No. 4, pp. 364-372
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/24/12 11:33AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F [IMAGE 1 of 2, also see next image] Atta mexicana workers often climb to the highest branches of a tree or shrub to harvest the leaves for their fungus gardens. Here we see media (mid-sized) workers climbing back down the trunk of a small tree (Ziziphus sonorensis) carrying their freshly cut leaves. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/24/12 12:23PM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F [IMAGE 2 of 2, also see previous image] Atta mexicana workers often climb to the highest branches of a tree or shrub to harvest the leaves for their fungus gardens. Here we see media (mid-sized) workers climbing back down the trunk of a small tree carrying their freshly cut leaves. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/24/12 10:25AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 75°F In addition to the fresh leaves that are cut and harvested, Atta mexicana workers like this one sometimes pick up and retrieve fallen leaves, and other plant parts. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/26/12 8:48AM sunny, air temp: 23°C / 73°F An Atta mexicana leafcutter ant carrying the flag-like leaflets of a Mesquite tree. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps »
● 01/24/12 12:23PM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F

[IMAGE 2 of 2, also see previous image] Atta mexicana workers often climb to the highest branches of a tree or shrub to harvest the leaves for their fungus gardens. Here we see media (mid-sized) workers climbing back down the trunk of a small tree carrying their freshly cut leaves. [scroll down for additional notes/references]

ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:

Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
pogolumina > ● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps » ● 01/24/12 12:23PM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F [IMAGE 2 of 2, also see previous image] Atta mexicana workers often climb to the highest branches of a tree or shrub to harvest the leaves for their fungus gardens. Here we see media (mid-sized) workers climbing back down the trunk of a small tree carrying their freshly cut leaves. [scroll down for additional notes/references] ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
● Estero del Yugo, Mazatlán, Mexico [el. approx. sea level] view location in Google Maps »
● 01/24/12 12:23PM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F

[IMAGE 2 of 2, also see previous image] Atta mexicana workers often climb to the highest branches of a tree or shrub to harvest the leaves for their fungus gardens. Here we see media (mid-sized) workers climbing back down the trunk of a small tree carrying their freshly cut leaves. [scroll down for additional notes/references]

ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES:

Ants of the genus Atta (at least 15 species, all in the New World) can have enormous colonies, often with several million inhabitants. A variety of differently sized worker subcastes comprise "the most complex systems of division of labor known in ants" [Hölldobler & Wilson 2011]. Mid-sized (media) workers are the ones most often seen cutting pieces of leaves from plants and trees, and carrying them back to the nest in long lines. Inside, smaller workers (minors) chop up the plant matter into tiny fragments. Yet still smaller nestmates pulverize the material further, then add fecal droplets. Tiny strands of fungus are then added (by even smaller workers), and the pulverized plant material now acts as a growing medium for the fungus. Ultimately, the very smallest workers tend the fungus gardens, keeping them free of mold and other contaminants. All of the workers are non-reproductive females - winged (reproductive) females and males are produced, and take part in occasional mating flights. The males die soon after mating, and make no other contributions to the colony. The cultivated fungus serves as food for the ants, especially the larvae. Adult leaf cutters probably have much of their nutritional requirements met by consuming plant sap directly, as they cut fresh vegetation.
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