WebThese minim workers ride on the leaf fragments, and defend the leaf carriers from attack by parasitic phorid flies, that try to lay eggs on the leaf carriers' bodies. Minim ants also … WebAttine leaf-cutter ant foragers often cut leaf fragments shorter than the hind legs could allow, suggesting other factors contribute to load size determination. Several studies have shown reasons why leaf-cutter ants cut smaller loads than they could maximally carry.
The ‘humpbacked’ phorid flies – meet the ant-decapitating brain eaters …
WebJan 15, 2024 · The leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens (Linnaeus) and Atta laevigata (Smith) were parasitized by the following phorid flies: Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier, Apocephalus … WebDec 21, 2009 · Leafcutter ants, as you might guess from their name, collect leaves. They use the leaves that they carry back to their nest to grow a fungus just like a farmer might grow tomatoes, or lettuce. What do they do with the fungus? They eat it. You might be thinking yuck about now, but for leafcutter ants fungus is their food of choice. cyp health inequalities
Phorid Flies Parasitizing Leaf-Cutting Ants: Their …
WebNov 15, 2000 · A burning sting and aggressive nature make the pest dangerous to humans, livestock, pets and wildlife. Phorid flies are fierce enemies of fire ants. First, a female fly injects an egg into the fire ant’s body. The larva that hatches burrows into the ant’s head, where it grows and eventually releases enzymes that cause the ant head to fall off. WebLeaf cutter ants help their habitat by trimming back trees. This helps light to reach the forest floor and allows plants to grow there. Predators and Threats A species of fly called the … WebAtta is a genus of New World ants of the subfamily Myrmicinae.It contains at least 17 known species. Atta leaf-cutter ants are relatively large, rusty red or brown in colour, and have a spiny body and long legs. The three main castes within a nest are the queen, worker, and soldier. Only the queens and males have wings (alate), and these ants are also known as … bim trichy placement report