Supercolony: Atta cephalotes – Leaf-cutter ants

Description

EXCEPTIONAL IMPORT: giant colonies with more than 1000 workers, larvae and a large mushroom. Ideal for incredible observations from the start, individuals and professionals (zoos, museums, etc.).

Note: the size of the mushroom can naturally vary, we guarantee a population of more than 1000 workers. The size of the mushroom is generally comparable to an orange.

Hand delivery recommended, contact us to organize a tailor-made delivery or an appointment. We are currently taking reservations and estimate the next import to be July and September via Paris airport. We can offer free hand delivery in Paris and Grenoble, or delivery by us at 0.65 euro/km round trip calculated from Paris or Grenoble.

Atta cephalotes like any leafcutter is able to cut plants and feed a symbiotic fungus that it cultivates itself by creating a living structure in cut leaves. It provides ventilation and controls CO2 levels and ventilation with the help of the substrate, produces antibiotics and harvests the nutritious parts of the fungus. This garden ant invented agriculture 120 million years ago and allows you to observe this incredible cycle... It feeds on all kinds of leaves and plants, refrigerated brambles and cabbage in winter, among other plants .

These colonies were stabilized under suitable conditions. We reserve the right to keep the colonies for a certain period of time before returning them to you in order to ensure their perfect growth and vitality. We provide a high quality service to put all the chances on your side for the success of your breeding.

Does this species fascinate you? We recommend a telephone appointment to receive our best breeding advice, help you choose the equipment and organize delivery. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information. This species is easier than you think, provided you follow the advice carefully.

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The Ant Farming Charter on this exotic species:

1/ Health demonstrated by the laying of the queen and the presence of brood on shipment, guaranteed without parasites, healthy and growing mushroom
2/ No “boost” (addition of brood or external workers to sell the colonies more quickly, the queen is raised since the swarming),
3/ NO SHIPPING by conventional transport = no risk of loss.
Delivery by us in Isère, click and collect or private transport. 4/ Free breeding guide and health sheet provided,
5/ Take-back of your colony for up to €30 if you wish to part with it (see conditions).

Optional 3-month Success Insurance:
For those who want total peace of mind, we offer a 3-month Success Insurance which allows you to receive a new colony at no cost in the event of the death of your colony within 3 months of delivery, without discussion and whatever the reason for the loss!
Conditions: transport at our expense to mainland France only, return from an identical colony within the limits of available stocks. The loss must be proven by a clear photo within 90 days of delivery.

Latin name:		Atta cephalotes
Common name:		Leaf cutter ant, mushroom ant
Taxonomy:		Subfamily: Myrmicinae Genus: Attini
Difficulty :		(3) Recommended for experienced breeders due to moisture, food and equipment requirements
Distribution :		South America
Natural habitat :		Tropical forest, humid basement
Number of queens:		monogynous
Description of Queen		Size: 30mm Color: Brown
Workers:		Size: 3 – 16mm Colour: Red brown
Soldiers:		18 – 23mm, powerful bite
Males:		Winged, smaller
Feed :		Feeds on symbiotic fungus that ants cultivate from plants, fruits and flowers. Possible food: Brambles, strawberries, roses, lime, oak leaves, chestnut, Virginia creeper, also apples, oranges, bananas, fresh or dried grapes, oat flakes, red cabbage and washed vegetables. It is recommended to moisten the leaves before feeding them. Do not use staghorn sumac leaves as they are poisonous to the fungus.
Air humidity:		Harvest area: 40 – 70% Nest: 99% essential, never under 85-90%. Waste chamber: as dry as possible.
Temperature:		Stable at 23-24°C.
Diapause:		None.
Type of natural nest:		Huge underground nests with mushroom chambers connected by long tunnels sometimes reaching 8m deep.
Types of artificial nest:		Glass or acrylic kit adapted in terms of size (20cm mini) and ventilation. Mandatory: 1x nest + 1x collection area + 1x dump.
Nest size:		Minimum 20cm per mushroom chamber, multiply the chambers according to growth. It is possible to keep the colony to an easily manageable size, but it can also become huge and fill entire aquariums.
Substrate:		Soil, sphagnum peat moss, Perlite, Humus, etc. Helps keep humidity more stable.
Plants:		– No planting, devours plants on branch
Decoration:		– Keep the nest clean and healthy.
Summary :		Atta sexdens is a species extremely similar to Atta cephalotes (slight color difference), widespread in South America. Often considered harmful by farmers, it is often eliminated voluntarily, but will rather delight passionate breeders.
Growth :		Swarms in the rainy season. Foundation: Claustrale, the queen carries a piece of mushroom in her cuticle and founds her colony alone by cultivating the mushroom. The queen can live 15 years and the colony count 8 million individuals.
Quantity on sale:		1 queen + fungus (mushroom) + first workers + brood in a foundation box
Contact :		Email , messaging, Facebook (messenger chat) and phone.

Photo: Antstore©