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.
The jaws of the leafcutter are versatile and capable of more than just slicing vegetation. Here workers carry bits of soil out from an excavation deep within the nest.
Atta texana. Texas, USA.
Atta texana. Texas, USA.
The jaws of the leafcutter are versatile and capable of more than just slicing vegetation. Here workers carry bits of soil out from an excavation deep within the nest.
Atta texana. Texas, USA.
Atta texana. Texas, USA.
Camera: Canon (Canon Eos 20d) |
More details: exif |
Original size: 3504px x 2332px |
Current: 400px x 266px |
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
