Fungus Growing Ants
Attina
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Superfamily: Formicoidea
- Family: Formicidae
- Subfamily: Myrmicinae
- Tribe: Attini
- Subtribe: Attina
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Attina: /ˈætɪnə/
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Images
Summary
The Attina subtribe consists of fungus-growing ants known for their unique mutualistic relationships with fungi. They are predominantly found in the New World, where they play crucial roles in their ecosystems through their foraging and nesting behaviors.
Physical Characteristics
Fungus-growing ants typically exhibit differences in morphology such as large mandibles adapted for cutting leaf fragments, and various species can exhibit variations in color and size.
Identification Tips
Look for distinctive large mandibles and evidence of fungus farming; some species also exhibit polymorphism within colonies, meaning there could be several different body types within a single species.
Habitat
Primarily ground-nesting in the leaf litter of forests, as well as occasionally nesting in logs.
Distribution
Found mostly in the New World, including areas from the southern United States down to Central and South America; some species can reach as far north as New Jersey and as far west as California.
Diet
They primarily cut leaves or collect detritus to cultivate fungi, which serves as their main food source; they are symbiotic with the fungi they grow.
Life Cycle
Their life cycle includes a complete metamorphosis, consisting of egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages; worker ants help rear the brood.
Reproduction
Reproduction occurs through a mating flight where winged males and females disperse, mate, and establish new colonies; queens can live for several years, while workers live shorter lives.
Predators
Natural predators include various insectivorous birds, lizards, and other insects such as other predatory ants and parasitoids.
Ecosystem Role
They play a vital role in the ecosystem as recyclers, breaking down leaf matter and helping to shape the ecosystem through their foraging and nesting activities.
Economic Impact
Fungus-growing ants contribute to soil health through their farming activities, though they can also be pests in agricultural settings when they harvest crops.
Collecting Methods
- Pitfall traps
- Hand collecting during foraging activities
Preservation Methods
- Aldehyde based preservatives
- Freezing specimens for morphological studies
Evolution
The evolutionary history of Attina is closely linked to the diversification of symbiotic relationships with fungi, which is believed to have evolved independently in ant lineages.
Similar Taxa
- Leafcutter ants (subtribe Attina)
- Termites (order Isoptera) - share some ecological and behavioral similarities
Misconceptions
Fungus-growing ants are often mistaken for leafcutter ants; however, not all leafcutters grow fungi, while all ants in the Attina subtribe are fungal cultivators.
Tags
- Fungus-growing ants
- Ant ecology
- Biodiversity
- Insect behavior
- Mutualism