• Atta texana Königinnen mit ersten Brut und erstem selbst gezüchtetem Pilz
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Atta texana

Atta texana

€49,90 EUR
€49,90 EUR
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Colony size

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Note: During the founding phase, Atta texana is especially prone to stress. Rearing succeeds best in a darkened environment with limited space at 24–28 °C. From approx. 500 workers onward, the colony becomes more robust. In winter, a slight diapause may occur – activity and food intake then decrease significantly. It is essential to always have replacement fungus on hand when rearing queens. This can be destroyed during shipping or for other reasons.
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Description

Name: Atta texana
Direct Origin: Magnolia, Texas
Queen: approx. 28 – 30 mm
Workers: polymorphic – from approx. 2 to 16 mm
Food: Leaves, flowers, rolled oats – for fungus cultivation. The fungus is the colony's actual food source.
Humidity:
• Arena: 50 – 70%
• Fungus chamber: 90 – 100%
Temperature:
• Arena: 22 – 28 °C
• Fungus chamber: 24 – 26 °C
Winter Dormancy: No
Nest Type: Specialized fungus nests with ventilation, high humidity, and temperature control
Colony Size: up to 5 million workers in the wild, usually significantly smaller in captivity

Advantages and Disadvantages of Atta texana

Advantages:
Atta texana is one of the most fascinating ant species of all. The colony organizes itself in a highly complex manner, with clear division of labour and impressive leaf-cutting activity. The symbiotic fungus farming is unique – perfect for advanced keepers with a biological interest.

Disadvantages:
Keeping this species is extremely demanding: high humidity, stable temperatures, special nest design, fungus care, and a large amount of food are all necessary. Large colonies require a lot of space. This species is not suitable for beginners.

Care
Atta texana requires a multi-chamber nest system, consisting of:

  • a chamber with constantly high humidity (90 – 100%) and temperature (24 – 26 °C)
  • a chamber for disposing of old fungus mass (keep separate!)
  • a chamber for fresh plant material

The animals must not come into direct contact with water, but need very high humidity. Ventilation must nonetheless be very good – the risk of mould is high. 3D-printed or custom-built nests with separate modules are ideal.

Feeding
Atta texana does not eat solid matter itself, but uses cut plant material for fungus cultivation.
Suitable are:

  • leaves from blackberries, raspberries, oaks, roses, etc.
  • flowers, hibiscus, rose petals

The fungus is extremely sensitive – therefore do not give proteins or sugary substances as with other species.

Winter Dormancy / Diapause
Atta texana does not undergo winter dormancy – tropical conditions are required year-round.
An interruption in fungus care leads to colony collapse.
Temperature: 24 – 26 °C constant
Humidity in the fungus chamber: 90 – 100%

Atta texana - Encyclopedia