Atta insularis
Encyclopedia
Atta insularis is a species
of leaf-cutter ant, a New World ant of the subfamily Myrmicinae
of the genus
Atta. This species is from one of the two genera of advanced attines
(fungus-growing ants) within the tribe Attini.
This species is the largest and most notable species of ant of Cuba
. Atta insularis is unique to Cuba, and has great polymorphism. Its workers specialize in different activities. The warriors have remarkably large heads.
They prefer to work at night, although they do by day, more if on cloudy days.
The nests are huge, and may comprise one or several mounds that can be spaced several metres apart. The height of the mound can sometimes exceed a metre. These nests in natural sites can be very durable, even more than 50 years.
This species is a pest of citrus, coffee, and various pinus species.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of leaf-cutter ant, a New World ant of the subfamily Myrmicinae
Myrmicinae
Myrmicinae is a subfamily of ants. There are about 140 genera within the group, with the family being cosmopolitan. The pupae lack cocoons. Some species retain a functional sting. The petioles of Myrmicinae consist of two nodes...
of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Atta. This species is from one of the two genera of advanced attines
Fungus-growing ants
The fungus-growing ants comprises all the known fungus-growing ant species in the world participating in ant-fungus mutualism. Leafcutter ants, including Atta and Acromyrmex, make up 2 of the genera.-See also:...
(fungus-growing ants) within the tribe Attini.
This species is the largest and most notable species of ant of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. Atta insularis is unique to Cuba, and has great polymorphism. Its workers specialize in different activities. The warriors have remarkably large heads.
They prefer to work at night, although they do by day, more if on cloudy days.
The nests are huge, and may comprise one or several mounds that can be spaced several metres apart. The height of the mound can sometimes exceed a metre. These nests in natural sites can be very durable, even more than 50 years.
This species is a pest of citrus, coffee, and various pinus species.
Further reading
- Fowler, H. G; Robinson, S. W., Foraging by Atta sexdens (Formicidae: Attini): seasonal patterns caste and efficiency. Ecological Entomology. 4: 239-247. 1979.
- Fowler, H. G; Saes, N. B., Dependence of the activity of grazing cattle on foraging grass-cutting ants (Atta spp.) in the southern neotropics. Journal of Applied Sciences Research. 101:154-158. 1986.