Family Formicidae Tribe Attini Scientific name Atta mexicana Rank Species | Class Insecta Genus Atta Order Hymenopterans | |
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Similar Atta, Hymenopterans, Atta cephalotes, Texas leafcutter ant, Atta insularis | ||
Atta mexicana 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.
Contents
Wild atta mexicana
Description
The queen is approximately 30 mm long, and dark brown. Workers are dark brown, with thorns. Soldiers grow up to 18 mm, and are well-fortified.
Distribution
A. mexicana is found in Mexico (where is commonly called hormiga del desierto/desert ant and mochomo), and crosses into Arizona, United States.
This species is highly adaptive, and thrives in such urban areas as Puerto Vallarta. Densities of A. mexicana nests are very high in numerous areas, including the resort community of Nuevo Vallarta.
References
Atta mexicana Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA