Permit Pending & Coming Soon!
These ants are cold sensitive to temperatures below 10C and will not survive cold spikes. Please be aware to ensure adequate heating at all times.
Difficulty: Advanced Level
Latin Name: Atta cephalotes
Common Name: Leafcutter Ants
Distribution: South America
Colony Form: Monogynous (Single Queen)
Queen Size: 32mm
Queen Colour: Reddish Brown
Worker Size: 4 - 16mm
Worker Colour: Reddish Brown
Soldier: 18 - 23mm
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Food :
The ants cultivate a symbiotic fungus by feeding it vegetation materials.
- Feeding (Foliage):
- Blackberry
- Raspberry
- Roses
- Boxtree
- Elder
- Lime- Tree
- Oakleaves
- Chestnut
- Virginia Creeper
- Feeding (Other than Foliage):
- Apples
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Grapes / Raisins
- Rolled Oats
Note:
Do not use staghorn sumac leaves because their leaves are toxic for the Fungus. Soak leaves in water (to remove any possible pesticides) before feedings.
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Humidity & Temperature :
Foraging Area: 40 - 70%
Nest Area: 70 - 90%
Garbage Chamber: 30 - 40%
Foraging Arena: 21 - 28 °C
Nest Area: 24 - 28 °C
Hibernation :
There is no hibernation period required for these ants.
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Substrate (Included in Order with Formicarium) :
Pre-Boiled Coco Fibre, Peat Soil, HydroBalls, Sand.
Nest: These ants will come with a connectable cylinder acrylic starter nest kit. Three basins are always required. One is for the growing colony, one is for feeding, and the third is for a garbage pit. Additional information & photos can be seen here.
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Description :
This genus of ant is common in many parts of South and Central America. In agriculture, they are often regarded as pests due to their high demand for leaves. These ants are excellent display subjects. They have a high feed requirement and tend to expend easily when there is a shortage or poor conditions.
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Founding :
Fully-claustral with a piece fungus from the mother colony which is first fertilized with fecal droppings of the Queen. A Queen can live up to 10 - 15 years.
Note:
Due to their origins and way of life, they require higher demands on humidity and temperature. These ants cannot survive temperatures below 10 °C.
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Colony Size :
If growing conditions are met, these ants can reach up to 5,000,000 - 8,000,000 Individuals. In the wild, they can consume as much daily foliage as a fully grown adult cow.
* Please note that price reflection includes import fees & customs declarations. Regular service & consultation available.
Pickup is strongly recommended for these ants. Shipping at customer's own risk within Canada ONLY.