leaf cutting ants food

[rens]

Leaf cutting ants attack pine trees, but ordinarily do little damage when other green plants are available. During the winter when green plant material is scarce, seedling pines are frequently damaged in parts of east Texas and west central Louisiana. Where ants are abundant, it is almost impossible to establish natural pine reproduction. In such sites, young pine seedlings often are destroyed within a few days unless the ants are controlled before planting.

[zoeytolboom]

Thanks you rens
It helped me a lot.

[rens]

no problem! My Ant friend.

[Acromyrmexbob]

Rens, thats interesting. Can you tell me where this information is from. We are keen here to verify anything that adds to our knowledge so information like that would be better accompanied by the source where the info has been found. A web address or publication reference is needed. My own understanding is that Atta rarely take pine trees but again I am very interested by this finding. More info please!

[Deansie26]

Be great to see the source Rens as Andrew said, I'd be highly surprised if this was the case with pine trees having a waxy coating.
Would be a eye opener.

[Atta solider]

If they do am in heaven as I've got two pine trees in my garden lol

[Formica123]

Found the source, an interesting article to be read:
http://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/lan ... /ent-1002/

[Acromyrmexbob]

Very good Marco, exactly what we need. I think the key is that they do this when other green plants are not available. These Leaf Cutting Ants are living in the northern most point where they are found. There are times of the year when their traditional food plants will not be available. In these times, in order to survive, they are clearly taking what would normally be unsuitable leaves. Pine needles are not something I thought would be taken. This is a good add to the forum knowledge. And a good spot from Rens!

[Deansie26]

I'll need to try them lol

[Atta solider]

Anyone one tryed it yet about pine trees yet ???