Last Cut. Leafcutter Ant, Atta colombica, Micropia, Natura Artis Magistra, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In 2014 the fine Amsterdam Zoo, Natura Artis Magistra, opened its Micropia. Micropia is the first 'zoo' in the world which shows microbes and other micro-organisms and also small insects. Among the latter is a large nest of Leafcutter Ants.
Atta colombica had earlier been part of the Artis Zoo, living in the Insectarium and later in the Butterfly house. But here in Micropia their nest really comes into its own. There's a combination of glass piping, islands in a small indoor basin, interconnected terrarium-like boxes, and in the centre of the water basin rises a little forest of fresh leaf, replenished regularly. Here our Leafcutters go about their business: cutting pieces of leaf and dragging them into the nest to grow on them a fungus for their nourishment. It's all highly fascinating...
Last Cut. Leafcutter Ant, Atta colombica, Micropia, Natura Artis Magistra, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In 2014 the fine Amsterdam Zoo, Natura Artis Magistra, opened its Micropia. Micropia is the first 'zoo' in the world which shows microbes and other micro-organisms and also small insects. Among the latter is a large nest of Leafcutter Ants.
Atta colombica had earlier been part of the Artis Zoo, living in the Insectarium and later in the Butterfly house. But here in Micropia their nest really comes into its own. There's a combination of glass piping, islands in a small indoor basin, interconnected terrarium-like boxes, and in the centre of the water basin rises a little forest of fresh leaf, replenished regularly. Here our Leafcutters go about their business: cutting pieces of leaf and dragging them into the nest to grow on them a fungus for their nourishment. It's all highly fascinating...