A Ten-year Laboratory Colony of Atta cephalotes1

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Abstract
A Trinidad colony of Atta cephalotes L., originating from a May 1965 nuptial flight and removed for laboratory study on 15 July, survived 10 yr with the same queen, a unique record for the species. Weighed quantities of fresh green leaves were supplied frequently. The monthly totals were compared with the monthly volumes of the resulting fungus gardens. The colony expanded rapidly, taking 5718 g of fresh leaves in 1966 and about 7000 g in 1968 and 1969, when the corresponding maximum monthly volumes of gardens were 4050, 10,000 and 11,600 ml respectively. In 9 yr, 51 Kg were used. Yearly totals show fluctuations and a summary of many of the daily records detail various factors at work, including accidental losses and normal mortality of the workers. Natural deaths averaged 1000–1500 monthly at one time. Workers of the broods of the 1st 15 mo had a life span of less than a year. No sexual brood was produced. Details of leaf-cutting, species of plants used, appearance of the first soldier sub-caste, removal of exhaused substrate, and other biological features are given.