. Cooperative economic insect report. Insect pests Control United States Periodicals. - 10 - INSECTS NOT KNOWN TO OCCUR IN THE UNITED STATES A LEAF-CUTTING ANT (Atta sexdens (L.)) Economic Importance: The Atta leaf-cutting ants, of which A. sexdens is the chief economic species, are reported to be the most destructive insects in Brazil and elsewhere in Latin America. In Brazil, A. sexdens is responsible for large losses on crops, particularly cotton, citrus" eucalyptus and rose. Much farm land has been abandoned where control failed or was not applied. Citrus and avocado trees have been d
. Cooperative economic insect report. Insect pests Control United States Periodicals. - 10 - INSECTS NOT KNOWN TO OCCUR IN THE UNITED STATES A LEAF-CUTTING ANT (Atta sexdens (L.)) Economic Importance: The Atta leaf-cutting ants, of which A. sexdens is the chief economic species, are reported to be the most destructive insects in Brazil and elsewhere in Latin America. In Brazil, A. sexdens is responsible for large losses on crops, particularly cotton, citrus" eucalyptus and rose. Much farm land has been abandoned where control failed or was not applied. Citrus and avocado trees have been defoliated overnight in Peru. The pest is also seriously destructive to ornamental shrubs and trees in the Canal Zone and other areas. Damage to plants occurs through removal of succulent parts which are used in construction of fungus beds. The ant subsists entirely on fungi. The mounds may extend over an area covering as much as 14,000 square yards. Distribution: Argentina, Brazil, British Guiana, Canal Zone, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dutch Guiana, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and General Distribution of Atta sexdens Plants Attacked: Defoliates many plants including citrus, cotton, rose, apple, avocado, cacao, ornamental shrubs and trees as well as wheat, rice and other grasses. Grains in storage are sometimes carried into nests. Life History and Habits: Ants of this genus, after mating, drop to the ground and the male dies. The queen loses her wings and begins a new colony, usually in cultivated soil! The first eggs are deposited in the enlarged end of a 6-8 inch gallery. A small portion of fungus brought from the old nest is deposited with the eggs. The contents of these eggs, which the queen breaks and mixes with fecal matter, sery§ as a medium for the growing fungus. Later, more eggs are laid and the first castes attend the fungus. Other castes soon appear and begin further excavation. Finally, foraging ants, those responsible for. Please note that the
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