4 replies to this topic

[Ernteameise]

Today I did another trip to the large aquarium near to where I live.

They have dozens of marine aquaria with all kinds of fish, seahorses, huge bull sharks and a hall full of crocodiles.

But this time, the most fascinating animals were the leafcutter ants. They have a mature colony of Acromyrmex octospinosus.

I thought I share some of my pictures.

I think I spend 30 mins just watching these girls, they were hypnotic to watch!

They even have a ton of winged alates walking around the tubes.

Hard to imagine that this large colony (taking up so much space!) is one of the smaller leafcutter species and nothing compared to Atta species!

I saw that they built their fungus gardens everywhere, and several of the tubes were filled with fungus.

I guess that is normal?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ANTdrew]

My wife is from Bolivia, and on a trip last year to visit her family I saw these ants everywhere. They are truly spectacular.

[Ernteameise]

My wife is from Bolivia, and on a trip last year to visit her family I saw these ants everywhere. They are truly spectacular.

You were very lucky to see them in their natural habitat. South America is on my bucket list, too.

[ANTdrew]

I was blessed to see them. Here is a photo of a nest entrance and of workers harvesting the fruits of molle trees or what are called Peruvian pepper trees in English:

[Ernteameise]

Awesome.