Leafcutter Antハキリアリ
Atta cephalotesNE— Not Evaluated
Leafcutter ants are large Neotropical ants famous for carrying cut leaf fragments back to underground nests, not to eat directly but to cultivate a specialized fungus that serves as their true food source. Colonies can grow to millions of workers under a single long-lived queen, forming one of the most complex societies among insects.
Leafcutter Ant (reference photo)
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Species Data
Did You Know?
- Colonies can grow to as many as 5 million members, all descended from a single queen who may reign for more than 20 years. Source
- The fungus they cultivate underground belongs to the family Agaricaceae, and the ants and fungus depend on each other in a mutualistic partnership. Source
- Some workers specialize in managing the colony's waste dump, and because they are more exposed to pathogens, they tend to live only about half as long as other workers. Source
Where to See This Species
1 facilities · 0 individuals
東京都多摩動物公園 (Toukyoutotama Doubutsu Kouen)TokyoOpened in 1958
昆虫園本館の外国産昆虫展示コーナーでハキリアリを展示 Source
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
IUCNの評価区分は資料上明確でないためnullとした。
Habitat
中南米の熱帯林や開けた土地の地下の大きな巣。
Threats
- 森林の減少
- 農地化による環境変化
Conservation & Breeding Efforts
- 生息地の保全
- 共生と社会性を伝える飼育展示
Sources
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FAQ
- Do leafcutter ants eat the leaves they cut?
- No. They carry the leaf fragments to their underground nest to grow a specialized fungus, which they then eat as their actual food source. Source
- How big can a leafcutter ant colony get?
- Colonies can contain up to about 5 million ants, all descended from a single queen that can live more than 20 years. Source
- How is work divided among leafcutter ants?
- Workers vary greatly in size, from about 3 to 20 mm, with larger ants cutting tough leaves and defending the colony while smaller ones handle finer tasks like tending the fungus garden. Source
Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org