Atta cephalotes
Leafcutter ant
Keystone species in tropical forests thanks to their ability to recycle plant matter and aerate the soil.
- Habitat
- Humid forests, forest edges, and managed tropical crops.
- Behavior
- Polymorphic colonies with well-organised foraging trails and active defence.
- Distribution
- Mesoamerica and South America, from Mexico down to Brazil.
- Diet
- Cultivated fungus grown from fresh leaf fragments.
# Key traits
Workers specialise in harvesting vegetation to feed the fungus gardens. Castes range from tiny minim workers to powerful soldiers, maintaining ventilation and humidity across underground chambers.