Riccardo atta colony 2015 4/12/2015

[Atta solider]

I've tryed get different angles of the nest for you all to see the fungus growing with new leaf bits on it I hope it's okay as I was getting attacked bad as there lot more workers now colony growing fast now they are putting lot of leaves in the pipe now and putting them up take in the nest which is good to watch them cut them up the queen moves at night around the fungus

[Atta solider]

I say on the size of the fungus is the cabbage small round one bigger then two my hands togther I'll have go feed them with roses today

[Acromyrmexbob]

Riccardo, that colony looks fantastic. Really does. Well done. You have got them growing very well. Healthy number of ants, healthy looking fungus, visible queen. All good so far.

[Atta solider]

Thank you Andrew and I can't wait till spring tho get the leaves they love again as they are feeding on privet and bits of rose leaves and carbbage and grapes

[Acromyrmexbob]

Ricc, are you feeding more than one type of leaf at a time to your ants. The fungus garden looks as though it is getting different leaves at the same time?

[Atta solider]

It's only getting privet and rose and carbbage that's all nothing else and grape which they are putting the grape skin into the fungus and almonds flakes as well

[Acromyrmexbob]

What I meant was are you feeding more than one type of leaf at the same time?

[Atta solider]

Yeah I put privet in and carbbage and rose so they can choose which take to the nest

[Acromyrmexbob]

Okay, in the summer thats fine when there are plenty choices. I would recommend that you offer only one of the foods they like each day. You will get a better response if you do this. Having said that your colony is doing great so maybe you should keep doing what you are doing.

[Deansie26]

I didn't know that was best practice Andrew, can you explain the reason? I take it it must be to do with being able to sustain variety over the winter?