Leafcutter ants are among the most remarkable insects you can keep. They cut leaves, carry them home and use them to grow a fungus that feeds the whole colony. This guide explains how that changes the way you keep them.
What leafcutters are
Leafcutters belong to the fungus-growing ants (the tribe Attini). The species we cover is Atta cephalotes, the hairy-headed leafcutter ant, from the Neotropics, from southern Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil. Workers come in very different sizes: tiny minims tend the fungus and the brood, medium workers harvest leaves, and large majors defend the colony. A mature colony can contain millions of workers and a single, long-lived queen.
The fungus garden
The ants do not eat the leaves. The plant material is chewed into a substrate on which the fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus grows, and the fungus is the colony’s main food. Everything in a leafcutter setup is built around keeping the fungus healthy:
- Warmth. Ant-keeping sources agree on about 24–26 °C, measured where the fungus is, not in the room.
- Very high humidity. Figures in the sources range from 60–80 percent up to 95–99 percent, so measure and adjust, and keep the fungus moist but not wet.
- Air exchange. The fungus produces carbon dioxide, so the nest needs ventilation without drying out.
- Calm. The fungus is easily damaged by disturbance and by contamination.
Setting up
- Several connected containers: a chamber for the fungus garden, a waste chamber and a foraging area.
- A secure, ventilated lid and a smooth escape barrier.
- A thermometer with a probe in the fungus chamber.
- Room to expand, because the colony grows from one queen to a very large workforce.
Feeding the fungus
Offer fresh leaves and other soft plant material from untreated plants. Ant keepers commonly use bramble and similar soft leaves, and the ants will show you what they prefer. Never offer plants treated with pesticides, which can kill a colony. Remove old, dried material.
Is it hard?
Ant-keeping sources rate Atta cephalotes Advanced to Expert. It is not about difficulty of food or temperature, but about keeping everything stable, month after month. It suits an experienced ant keeper who enjoys a long-term project. If you are new to ants, start with an easier species. See choosing your first ant species.
Rules for keeping or importing leafcutter ants differ between countries. Please ask ANTELYX about your destination before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Do leafcutter ants need a winter rest?
No. Ant-keeping sources describe the colony as active all year.
Can the ants eat the leaves directly?
No. They feed the leaves to the fungus and eat the fungus.
How big does the colony get?
In nature up to millions of workers, up to about 5 million is reported. A captive colony grows more slowly at first and then accelerates.
See the full Atta cephalotes care guide for the species facts and checklist.
Interested in Atta cephalotes?
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