Leafcutter Ants for Sale
Leafcutter ants are the only animals besides humans that farm their own food. They don't eat the leaves they cut — workers carry the fragments underground and use them to grow a fungus garden that feeds the entire colony. A foraging line of leafcutters hauling leaf pieces back to the nest is the most impressive thing you can put in a formicarium, and it is why experienced keepers treat a leafcutter colony as the centerpiece of the hobby.
Live leafcutter ant colonies for sale
We ship live Texas Leafcutter Ant (Atta texana) colonies as an established queen with a working fungus garden, in one, two, and three queen options. Atta texana is the only Atta species native to the United States, and because the species is naturally polygynous, a multi-queen colony is normal rather than a gamble. Every order ships under our 5-day live arrival guarantee with temperature-controlled packaging.
What leafcutter ants need
Three things decide whether a fungus garden lives: hold the garden between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and never heat it directly, water the absorbent base layer instead of the fungus itself, and never feed plant material that could carry pesticide or fungicide residue. Colonies grow quickly and need a steady supply of fresh leaves and petals, so they suit keepers ready for a daily-attention species. Read the leafcutter ant care guide before you order — it covers setup, humidity, feeding, and the mistakes that cost new keepers their garden.
Leafcutter ant FAQ
Do leafcutter ants eat the leaves they cut?
No. Leafcutter ants carry leaf fragments back to the nest and use them to grow a fungus garden. The fungus is the colony's food, so the health of the garden decides the health of the colony.
Do your leafcutter colonies ship with a fungus garden?
Yes. Every Texas leafcutter colony ships as an established queen with a working fungus garden, in one, two, or three queen options, under our 5-day live arrival guarantee.
Are leafcutter ants hard to keep?
They are a step up from carpenter or harvester ants. The fungus garden needs steady humidity and a temperature between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the colony needs a regular supply of pesticide-free plant material. Our leafcutter ant care guide walks through the full setup.
What do you feed a leafcutter ant colony?
Fresh, pesticide-free leaves and flower petals. Rose, blackberry, and oak are reliable staples. Never feed plant material that could carry pesticide or fungicide residue, since it can kill the fungus garden.
How big do leafcutter colonies get?
Atta texana colonies grow fast and can reach tens of thousands of workers. Plan for room to expand the nest and outworld as the fungus garden grows.
