Ants · Genus: Atta
hairy-headed leafcutter ant
ExpertAtta cephalotes
Atta cephalotes is a tropical leafcutter ant living in a highly complex obligate symbiosis with a cultivated fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus). The species displays extreme caste polymorphism, ranging from minute minims for fungus care to massive soldiers for colony defense. Due to rapid colony expansion and massive space and forage demands, keeping them requires expert-level climate control, multi-basin setups, and secure containment.
- Origin
- South AmericaCentral America
- Activity time
- Variable
- Winter dormancy
- No
Colony traits
- Colony form
- Monogynous (one queen)
- Founding type
- Claustral (independent, without feeding)
- Polymorphism
- Polymorphic with soldiers
- Queen size
- 30-32 mm
- Worker size
- 2-15 mm
- Major size
- 18-24 mm
- Max. colony size
- 1000000-5000000
- Queen lifespan
- 15-20
- Worker lifespan
- 0,5-2
Husbandry conditions
- Nest temperature
- 24-27 °C
- Arena temperature
- 22-28 °C
- Nest humidity
- 80-90 %
- Arena humidity
- 40-60 %
Nutrition
- Feeding notes
- Fungus substrate: Fresh, pesticide-free leaves (e.g., bramble, raspberry, rose, oak, beech), petals, rolled oats; Workers: Sugar water, honey water, ripe fruits (e.g., apple, banana)