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.
A queen leafcutter ant in the fungus garden with her attendant workers. Queens produce a pheromonal cocktail that is attractive to worker ants, and they crowd around her.
Atta texana. Texas, USA.
Atta texana. Texas, USA.
A queen leafcutter ant in the fungus garden with her attendant workers. Queens produce a pheromonal cocktail that is attractive to worker ants, and they crowd around her.
Atta texana. Texas, USA.
Atta texana. Texas, USA.
Camera: Canon (Canon Eos 20d) |
More details: exif |
Original size: 2332px x 3504px |
Current: 200px x 300px |
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
