Trachymyrmex septionalis

[Acromyrmexbob]

This fungus ant grow their fungus using unusual material for fertilizer.
Here an ant caries a caterpillar dropping.

[Atta solider]

Nice looking ant there

[Acromyrmexbob]

Looks very similar to a small Acromyrmex.

[Acromyrmexbob]

Heres a picture of their excavated nest showing queen and lots of workers.

[Atta solider]

How big do they get ?

[Acromyrmexbob]

Colonies are small, fungus size of golf ball, but a few gardens. Ants are around half size of Acros.

[Atta solider]

Oh cool will you be getting any? Love try out them look so cool

[Deansie26]

As Riccco asked do you think you will bring back any of these types of fungus growing ant at some point? Sure you toyed with the idea. I think it would be interesting.

[Acromyrmexbob]

As Riccco asked do you think you will bring back any of these types of fungus growing ant at some point? Sure you toyed with the idea. I think it would be interesting.

I brought a colony of these back to test it but I was unable to find the queen when I checked them a week after coming back. They are digable upable so its something I would look at. To be honest what I need is someone else out there who can see past Leaf Cutters and wants to go get all the other bits and pieces. I honestly cannot get excited about going and digging anything other than Leaf Cutters. I go out there with huge intentions and when it comes down to it I go and get myself some Leaf Cutter therapy!

[Occultus]

I wonder if we have any Trachymyrmex keepers on here? I'd expect there to be a fair few keepers in the U.S given the spread of these ants throughout the southern states. Could be a nifty little species to keep for those who want to dip their toes into the leaf-cutter world, without requiring a huge setup.
Trachymyrmex by Che Hawkins, on Flickr