I have seen birds nests in trees by the thousands, never before have I seen a leaf ant nest build up in the leaves. So after photographing returned home to do some research into ants that nest using leaves.
They twist and curl the big leaves into itself as can be seen making a cosy little home, waterproof and off of the ground. Amazing is the ant to cleverly put a tree house up for the rest of the community to thrive.
How powerful they are to hold, anchor and stitch the leaves up, amazing team work! Photo taken with Canon SX160 IS in the iSimangoliso Wetland Park. Plus an extract on the research I found.
"As we journey farther south, we encounter the weaver ants of Africa and Asia. This society weaves nests out of leaves in trees. The nests are amazingly intricate and can be scattered among several trees.
Bending live leaves into position can require incredible strength. A leaf is too big for one ant to move into place to make an appropriate shelter, so she needs help. The construction begins when one worker grabs onto a leaf with her jaws, and then hundreds of her fellow workers come alongside to grab each other’s bodies and pull together. With their combined strength, the ants pull the edge of the leaf against a nearby leaf. Then they hold the leaf down, while others sew the leaves together.
Sewing the leaves together is a feat all by itself. Workers search for larval ants, grasp them in their jaws, and bring them up to the construction site. The larvae produce silk (also used for cocoons), so certain workers skillfully maneuver these living silk-dispensers back and forth “sewing” the leaves together, while other workers hold the leaves in position until they are held fast by the silk threads into waterproof shelters as large as a man’s head.
Weavers in East Africa will change their homes from one side of a tree to the other, depending on the season, to maximize their exposure to light and regulate temperatures."
