Leafcutter ants are conspicuous insects in warmer regions of the Americas. These spiny, charismatic ants are expert farmers, cultivating their food- a specialized fungus- in extensive underground galleries. The cut leaves are not consumed directly by the ants but are used to grow the fungus.
Researchers have discovered that ants slice quickly through plant matter by vibrating their jaws like an electric knife. The vibrations originate in the ants' hindmost body segment (the gaster) shown here tucked under the ant's body.
Atta cephalotes. Central America.
Atta cephalotes. Central America.
Researchers have discovered that ants slice quickly through plant matter by vibrating their jaws like an electric knife. The vibrations originate in the ants' hindmost body segment (the gaster) shown here tucked under the ant's body.
Atta cephalotes. Central America.
Atta cephalotes. Central America.
Camera: Canon (Canon Eos 20d) |
More details: exif |
Original size: 3504px x 2332px |
Current: 600px x 399px |
in this box:all images and text © Alex Wild 2008
insect pictures, insect images, insect photos, insect photography, ant images, bug pictures, bug photographs, insect identification, ant pictures
