Overview

Atta sexdens, along with A. cephalotes, is the most widespread member of its genus. Its northern most range is Mexico, and extends through Central America (Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua), into South America (Ecuador, Columbia, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Surinam) and Trinidad and Tobago (Hlldobler & Wilson, 1990; Kempf, 1972; Weber, 1972). The species has a wider tolerance for nest habitats, and is found in closed-canopy-forest, open grassland and disturbed habitats (Solomon, 2007; Weber, 1969). Atta sexdens is a considered a serious pest throughout its range, causing damage to a wide variety of agricultural crops and ornamentals (Cherrett, 1986).