Collection and Long-Term Maintenance of Leaf-Cutting Ants (Atta) in Laboratory ConditionsBianca Raissa Nogueira 1, Amanda Aparecida de Oliveira 1, Janiele Pereira da Silva 2, Odair Correa Bueno 1
1Institute of Biosciences, Department of General and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Leaf-cutting Ants, São Paulo State University, 2Institute of Psychology, Laboratory Walter Hugo Cunha, São Paulo University
Here, a protocol is described to successfully collect and maintain healthy Atta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) ant colonies in laboratory conditions. Additionally, different nest types and configurations are detailed together with possible experimental procedures.