Leaf Cutting Ant Forum

AndyJ wrote "Sweet or Horse Chestnuts"


The type that give you conkers!!

If i had to guess i would have thought Sweet chestnut ,,,,

Hawthorn is loved.

02.05.18

Ulmus sp - Elm Tree

Today's feed was Elm tree leaves from just down the street. I cant be sure of the exact species but I want to say it's English Elm (Ulmus minor 'Atinia') based on similar leaf photos. I fully expected a strong feeding response due to how delicate the new leaves are but the ants were rather casual in their leaf collecting. Most colonies did take leaves back to the fungus but I'm sure I'll have some to remove in the morning. It could be that they just didn't need these new Elm leaves after yesterdays banquet of Hawthorn.

03.05.18

Rhododendron
We used the classic Rhododendron leaves today...I know, boring. The funny thing I've noticed is that it's always pretty much a threeway split in acceptance of these leaves. Colony A loves it, colony B doesn't touch it and colony C will take a few bites but isn't fussed. Also for a couple of smaller Acromyrmex colonies, I give them some privet instead as I know they have a tough time cutting the Rhododendron. I'm tempted to cut some up into little tiny pieces and see if they'll be more inclined to take it.

04.05.18

Aesculus hippocastanum - Horse Chestnut
I managed to find a Horse chestnut tree today. The leaves had a great first response from workers of both Atta and Acromyrmex. They gradually calmed down in their enthusiasm for the leaves. Most colonies did take it to feed the fungus so I'd definitely use it again.

06.05.18

Betula pendula - Silver Birch

With the beautiful weather that we've had today, I collected the young silver birch leaves from the LCA HQ garden. The largest colonies of Atta cephalotes devoured the small leaves. Unfortunately, our young colonies were not as interested. I couldn't really recommend this for most keepers. I will try the silver birch one more time once the leaves are more mature and hopefully less waxy.

07.05.18

Fagus sylvatica - Beech

Today's food choice of Beech leaves has gone down a treat. Lots of enthusiastic leaf-cutting action. It helps that the leaves are young and easier for the ants work with.

Thanks Che. I will try the beech leaves too, we have a lot on campus, and I did try silver birch, which they cut after a little while.

8/5/2018

Dandelion and Docking leaves today. Available everywhere, easy to find, well accepted and a good mainstay.

I'd be interested to see how they react to carrots, organic of course. I had Acromyrmex chewing up pieces of carrot and feeding it to the fungus last year.