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The effect of wilting on the selection of leaves by the leaf‐cutting ant Atta laevigata

Using field assays of leaf preference, we tested the hypothesis that wilting affects the selection of leaves by the leaf‐cutting ant Atta laevigata (Fr. Smith). Detached leaves were left to air‐dry until noticeably wilted. The area removed by the ants from wilted leaves was significantly greater than the area removed from fresh leaves, this effect being observed in several plant species, in leaves of different age, and in assays with different ant colonies. Leaves collected from water‐stressed plants were also preferred to leaves from non‐stressed plants.