Subfamilies
Links
Jack Longino's Ants of Costa Rica
American Museum Social Insects website
William and Emma Mackay Ants of North America site
Gordon and Roy Snelling New World Army Ants
sF Myrmicinae Atta
The Atta are herbivore-fungus gardeners that form colonies of millions of workers. They are unmistakable, with a smooth gaster (which distinguishes them from Acromyrmex), spines, and long legs. Links to Jack Longino's Atta pages.
I know of two species from BCNM. As they are highly polymorphic, no size data is given.
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cephalotes Linnaeus 1758 Side of worker mesosoma with at least small patch smooth and shiny; color red orange; major workers enormous, with tuft of red wooly hair on face. Size highly variable |
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colombica Guerin-Meneville 1844
Worker surface completely mat, with no shiny spot; color maroon; majors without conspicuous patch of wooly hair on face.
Size highly variable |
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Updated 21December2004
