Daubz Atta cephalotes

[Acromyrmexbob]

Does the fungus feel soft and like cotton wool to touch or a little hard?

[Daubz1977]

It feels soft.... and a little bit bitey

[Acromyrmexbob]

bitey? Not sure I can picture what that means. It should offer very little resistance to the touch. I am concerned that if the ants are not adding to it then it may be declining. No alarm bells but one of the signs of fungus which needs a transplant is cutting but not gardening.

[Daubz1977]

I touched the fungus and ended up with a large worker attached to my finger.What can i do, because it was really soft and i think it is looking smaller.

[Acromyrmexbob]

If your fungus is soft and they are not adding to it then try offering a very dry food, orange peel and a very wet food, half grape. See which one they go for. Also grape provides them with food s they will likely be very happy about that.

[Daubz1977]

I put half a grape i with them earlier today but didnt get to see if they tried it as i went straight to work and ive given them orange peel a couple of times but i just put a bit more in with them. I know the last few days there has been quite a few new workers so i dont know if that slow them down farming and cutting.

[Acromyrmexbob]

Im more interested in their behaviour if they have a choice between the two when they are present at the same time.

[Daubz1977]

I saw what you put about chopping up privet and sprinkling over the fungus, would this help?

[Acromyrmexbob]

Try it!
As small as you can cut the pieces. But normally when they dont feed there is an underlying cause.

[Daubz1977]

Cant see what though, the conditions are perfect i think, 24°c - 24.5°c 99% humidity, but the fungus is definately shrinking.