Atta cethalotes, leaf-cutter ant
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Atta cethalotes, leaf-cutter ant
Scanning electron microscope image of a leaf-cutter ant displayed in the Darwin Centre, at the Natural History Museum, London
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Media ID 8612148
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Arthropod Arthropoda Electron Electron Micrograph Formicidae Hexapod Hexapoda Hymenoptera Insecta Micrograph Microscope Microscope Image Scanning Scanning Electron Micrograph Atta Atta Cephalotes Invertebrata Leaf Cutter Ant Leafcutter Ant Myrmicinae
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In this scanning electron microscope image, the intricate structure of an Atta cephalotes leaf-cutter ant is revealed in stunning detail. This leaf-cutter ant, also known as the bulldog ant or the acaciacultor ant, is a member of the Formicidae family and the subfamily Myrmicinae, order Hymenoptera, class Insecta, and phylum Arthropoda. Native to Central and South America, Atta cephalotes is a social insect that lives in large colonies, which can number up to several million individuals. The ant in this image is shown cutting a leaf, a behavior that gives this species its common name. Leaf-cutter ants cut leaves into small pieces using their mandibles and carry them back to their nest. There, they use the leaves as a substrate for cultivating a fungus that serves as their primary food source. The ants care for the fungus, tending to it and protecting it from predators. The leaf-cutter ant's body is covered in tiny hairs, which can be seen in this micrograph. These hairs help the ant to grip the leaves as it carries them back to the nest. The ant's exoskeleton, or cuticle, is also visible, as are its antennae and mandibles. The colors in this image have been enhanced to bring out the intricacies of the ant's structure, making it an even more fascinating sight to behold. This image was captured at the Darwin Centre, a part of the Natural History Museum in London. The Darwin Centre is home to the Attenborough Studio, a state-of-the-art facility for the study of natural history specimens using advanced imaging techniques such as scanning electron microscopy. This technology allows scientists to examine the minute details of organisms, providing valuable insights into their biology and evolution. The Atta cephalotes leaf-cutter ant is just one of the many fascinating creatures that have been studied using this technology at the Natural History Museum.
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