Acromyrmex octospinosus

Name: Acromyrmex octospinosus
Origin: Central and South America (incl. Guyana, Trinidad, Costa Rica)
Queen: approx. 12 – 14 mm
Workers: polymorphic, approx. 3 – 9 mm, majors up to approx. 15 mm
Food: Leaves, flowers and rolled oats for fungus cultivation – the fungus is the colony's actual food source
Humidity:
Arena: 40 – 70%
Fungus chamber: 89 – 97%
Temperature:
Arena: 21 – 28 degrees
Fungus chamber: 24 – 28 degrees
Winter Dormancy: No
Nest Type: Specialized fungus nests with high humidity and good ventilation, ideally made of glass for better observation
Colony Size: typically up to a few thousand workers in the hobby

Advantages and Disadvantages of Acromyrmex octospinosus:

Advantages:
Acromyrmex octospinosus is one of the best-known leafcutter ant species and offers a unique keeping experience through its fungus farming, with impressive cutting and carrying behaviour.

Disadvantages:
Keeping this species places high demands on humidity and hygiene in the fungus area and requires a continuous supply of fresh plant material – overall more time- and care-intensive than many other species.

Care:
During the founding phase, use a darkened box with a small fungus chamber. Later, set up a multi-part system with separate areas for fungus, waste, and arena. A constant temperature and humidity in the fungus area is essential.

Feeding:
Offer fresh, pesticide-free leaves, flowers, or rolled oats as fungus substrate, and change it regularly to prevent mould growth. Direct sugar or insect feeding is not necessary, as the colony feeds via the fungus.