Atta laevigata

This species was found to be a pest in pastures in Paraguay, feeding on the grasses Cynodon nlemfuensis, Megathyrsus maximus, Paspalum notatum, Urochloa brizantha, Urochloa decumbens and Urochloa ruziziensis (Sarubbi & Ramirez, 2020).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela.

Morphology


Martins et al. (2015) studied the occurrence of intramandibular glands in queens and soldiers, mediums, and minor workers using histological, histochemical, ultrastructural, and morphometric analyses. Individuals were obtained from three colonies of A. laevigata from Teixeiras (20 39’ S 42 51’ W), Minas Gerais, Brazil, and maintained in the Leafcutting Ants Laboratory at the Federal University of Vicosa. Class-3 gland cells and an epidermal gland with a reservoir were found in all the castes. The queens and soldiers showed a higher number of class-3 gland cells, distributed within the mandible as well as a greater gland size in comparison to the workers. There were also differences between castes in some chemical constituents.

Nomenclature

 *  laevigata. Oecodoma laevigata Smith, F. 1858b: 182, pl. 10, fig. 24 (s.w.) BRAZIL. Forel, 1913l: 239 (m.); Gonçalves, 1942: 336 (q.). Combination in Atta: Roger, 1863b: 35; in Atta (Neoatta): Gonçalves, 1942: 348; Borgmeier, 1959b: 365; in Atta (Epiatta): Borgmeier, 1950d: 247. Subspecies of sexdens: Mayr, 1865: 80; Emery, 1913bb: 259; Wheeler, W.M. 1923a: 4. Revived status as species: Forel, 1913l: 239; Menozzi, 1935b: 197; Borgmeier, 1939: 423; Gonçalves, 1942: 348; Borgmeier, 1959b: 365. Senior synonym of bolchevista: Borgmeier, 1950d: 243; of venezuelensis: Borgmeier, 1959b: 365; of silvai: Delabie, 1998: 339.
 * bolchevista. Atta (Neoatta) sexdens subsp. bolchevista Gonçalves, 1942: 350 (w.) PARAGUAY. [First available use of Atta sexdens r. rubropilosa var. bolchevista Forel, 1921a: 204; unavailable name.] Junior synonym of laevigata: Borgmeier, 1950d: 243.
 * venezuelensis. Atta (Neoatta) laevigata subsp. venezuelensis Gonçalves, 1942: 349 (w.q.) VENEZUELA. Combination in Atta (Epiatta): Borgmeier, 1950d: 243. Junior synonym of laevigata: Borgmeier, 1959b: 365.
 * silvai. Atta (Neoatta) silvai Gonçalves, 1983b: 174, figs. 1, 2 (w.q.m.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of laevigata: Delabie, 1998: 339.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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