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Leaf-cutter ants carrying pieces of leaf
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Leaf-cutter ants carrying pieces of leaf
Leaf-cutter ants transporting neatly extracted pieces of leaf. These ants derive from the rainforests of Central and South America
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Arthropod Arthropoda Cutter Formicidae Hexapod Hexapoda Hymenoptera Insecta Moving Atta Invertebrata Leaf Cutter Ant Leafcutter Leafcutter Ant Myrmicinae
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In this photograph, a line of Leaf-cutter ants (Atta spp.) can be seen meticulously carrying pieces of fresh green leaves through the lush rainforest floor. Native to Central and South America, these ants are part of the Formicidae family, which belongs to the order Hymenoptera and the class Insecta. More specifically, they are classified as fungus ants, belonging to the subfamily Attini and the tribe Attini. Leaf-cutter ants are renowned for their unique behavior of cutting leaves from various plants using their mandibles and carrying them back to their colonies. Once the leaves reach the nest, they are used to cultivate a fungus garden, which serves as the primary food source for the colony. The ants chew the leaves into small pieces and mix them with saliva, water, and fungal spores. The mixture is then piled up and covered with soil to promote fungal growth. The ants' remarkable ability to transport large pieces of leaves, often twice their body size, is made possible by their strong mandibles and the cooperative behavior of the colony members. They carry the leaves in their mandibles, using their legs to support the load and their antennae to sense the terrain and navigate their way back to the nest. This photograph showcases the intricate process of leaf cutting by these fascinating invertebrates, highlighting their essential role in the rainforest ecosystem and their complex social behavior. The ants' daytime activities, as seen here, are crucial for the survival and growth of their colonies, making them an essential component of the diverse and vibrant world of arthropods.
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