Attine
Guides
Atta mexicana
Chicatana Leafcutter Ant, Chicatana, Hormiga Podadora de Hoja, Mochomo, Nucú, Nacasmá, Cocosh
Atta mexicana is a leaf-cutting ant and advanced attine fungus-grower native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. The species cultivates the basidiomycete fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus as its primary food source, cutting and collecting leaf fragments to serve as fungal substrate. Colonies are large and complex, with sophisticated caste specialization including queens (~30 mm), workers, and soldiers (~18 mm). The species is culturally significant in Mexico as a traditional food source (chicatana) harvested during nuptial flights, and is also recognized as an agricultural pest in some contexts.
Mycetomoellerius jamaicensis
Jamaican Fungus-farming Ant
Mycetomoellerius jamaicensis is a fungus-farming ant in the tribe Attini, known for cultivating symbiotic fungi as a food source. The species belongs to a genus historically classified under Trachymyrmex but recently recognized as distinct based on molecular and morphological evidence. As with other attine ants, colonies maintain fungal gardens within nests. The species has been documented in the conterminous United States with observations concentrated in the southeastern region.
Mycetomoellerius turrifex
Turret Fungus-farming Ant
Mycetomoellerius turrifex is a fungus-farming ant in the tribe Attini, known for cultivating mutualistic fungi in subterranean gardens. The species was transferred from Trachymyrmex to the newly erected genus Mycetomoellerius in 2019 based on molecular phylogenetic evidence. Colonies exhibit complex social dynamics, including the presence of non-inseminated queens that adopt worker-like behaviors. Colony foundation involves pleometrosis, where multiple queens cooperate to establish new nests.
Trachymyrmex nogalensis
Trachymyrmex nogalensis is a fungus-gardening ant species from southern Arizona, described by Byars in 1951. As a member of the attine tribe, it cultivates fungal gardens as its primary food source. The queen caste was first characterized in a 2007 taxonomic revision, having previously been undescribed. The species is one of nine North American Trachymyrmex species recognized in that revision.
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis
Northern Fungus-farming Ant
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis is a fungus-farming ant in the tribe Attini, notable as the northernmost attine species. It cultivates symbiotic fungal gardens in underground nests, primarily in sandy soils. The species exhibits sophisticated garden hygiene behaviors, detecting and removing pathogen-infected garden material using chemical cues. Population dynamics are strongly influenced by drought conditions, with colonies concentrating in mesic microhabitats during dry periods.