Kingdom Animalia Family Formicidae Tribe Attini Scientific name Atta insularis Rank Species | Class Insecta Subfamily Myrmicinae Genus Atta Phylum Arthropoda Order Hymenopterans | |
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Similar Atta, Atta mexicana, Atta bisphaerica, Hymenopterans, Atta saltensis | ||
Atta insularis is a species of leaf-cutter ant, a New World ant of the subfamily Myrmicinae of the genus Atta. This species is from one of the two genera of advanced attines (fungus-growing ants) within the tribe Attini.
This species is the largest and most notable species of ant of Cuba. Atta insularis is unique to Cuba, and has great polymorphism. Its workers specialize in different activities. The warriors have remarkably large heads.
They prefer to work at night, although they do by day, more if on cloudy days.
The nests are huge, and may comprise one or several mounds that can be spaced several metres apart. The height of the mound can sometimes exceed a metre. These nests in natural sites can be very durable, even more than 50 years.
This species is a pest of citrus, coffee, and various pinus species.
Quantitative studies in the behaviour of Atta insularis has been performed both in laboratory-controlled conditions, and in the wild.