Taxonomy and distribution
An Atta cephalotes worker removes a manageable portion of a leaf before carrying it back to the nest, where it will be used to feed the colonies’ fungus. Gamboa, Panama. © Alex Wild, www.alexanderwild.com
Taxonomy
Atta are a genus of leafcutter ants, the majority of which are in the tribe Attini. There are, however, other groups of ants that cultivate fungus. For example, in the UK, Lasius fuliginosus cultivates fungus in the walls of its nest in order to increase their structural integrity (Schlick Steiner et al 2008).
Distribution
The range of this genus extends from the southern parts of North America down into South America. It is absent from the very southern most parts of South America.
