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Leafcutter Ant Facts for Kids: L Is for Leafcutter Ant

Leafcutter ants carry bits of leaves that are bigger than they are. They use the leaves to grow a special food garden in their nest. Here are easy leafcutter ant facts for kids: what leafcutter ants eat, how big they grow, what a baby leafcutter ant is called and where leafcutter ants live. Read them out loud, try the quiz, then color the letter L.

Insecttype
Herbivorediet
Larvababy name
Smiling cartoon lion with a fluffy mane next to a big yellow letter L
Free coloring pageLetter L, PDF
Fun facts

Fun Facts About Leafcutter ants

Two more true facts about the leafcutter ant that kids love. Tap the button to hear the name, then read each fact together.

Ll

Say “Leafcutter Ant”

Leafcutter Ant starts with the letter L. Clap once for each part of the word as you say it.

1

Did you know?

Leafcutter ants grow their own food like tiny farmers.

2

One more fact

They carry leaf pieces many times their weight.

Act it outMove like a leafcutter ant for ten seconds.
Spot the letterFind the letter L in “Leafcutter Ant”.
Ask a questionWhat would a leafcutter ant eat for breakfast?
Quick facts

Leafcutter Ant Facts at a Glance

Everything a curious kid wants to know about the leafcutter ant, in eight short cards.

Food

Herbivore

Leafcutter ants eat fungus that they grow on leaves.

Plant eater
Size

How big?

A leafcutter ant is about 1 to 2 cm long.

Body size
Life

How long?

Leafcutter ants live for weeks for workers, up to 15 years for queens.

Lifespan
Baby

Larva

A baby leafcutter ant is called a larva.

Baby name
Group

Colony

A group of leafcutter ants is called a colony.

Group name
Habitat

Rainforests

Leafcutter ants are found in Central and South America.

Where they live
Animal type

Insect

Leafcutter ants carry bits of leaves that are bigger than they are. They use the leaves to grow a special food garden in their nest.

Leafcutter Ant is an insect
Letter

L is for leafcutter ant

Leafcutter Ant has 13 letters and starts with L.

Say: Leafcutter Ant
Quick quiz

Leafcutter Ant Quiz for Kids

A tiny game to check what stuck. Read the question out loud and let your little one tap the answer.

Question 1
Score: 0

Free download
L is for Leafcutter Ant Color the letters, then trace them below. L l L l L l L l L l L l L l
Free printable

Leafcutter Ant Coloring Page: Letter L Worksheet

Done reading about the leafcutter ant? Print the free letter L sheet, say “L is for leafcutter ant” together and color the big letters. Great for circle time, morning work or a quiet afternoon at home.

1
Download the PDFOne click, no sign-up or email
2
Print at home or schoolFits US Letter and A4 paper
3
Color and traceBig letters and dotted tracing lines
Uppercase LLowercase lTracing practiceFind the L animals
Download Free PDF 3 pages, black & white
Questions

Leafcutter Ant Questions Kids Ask

All FAQs

Leafcutter ants eat fungus that they grow on leaves. That makes the leafcutter ant a herbivore, which means it is a plant eater.

A leafcutter ant is about 1 to 2 cm long.

Leafcutter ants live for weeks for workers, up to 15 years for queens.

A baby leafcutter ant is called a larva.

A group of leafcutter ants is called a colony.

Leafcutter ants live in Central and South America. Their favorite habitat is: rainforests.

Yes. The leafcutter ant is an insect. Leafcutter ants carry bits of leaves that are bigger than they are. They use the leaves to grow a special food garden in their nest.

Leafcutter Ant starts with the letter L. Say it slowly and listen for the L sound at the start.

Keep exploring

More Animals Like the Leafcutter Ant

Other L animals and more insects to read about next.

All L animals
Mammal

Lions live together in family groups called prides. A lion’s roar can be heard from about 5 miles away.

Lives in: Savanna Read lion facts
Insect

Ladybugs are tiny beetles that gardeners love because they eat aphids. Their bright spots tell birds that they taste bad.

Lives in: Gardens Read ladybug facts
Insect

Grasshoppers have strong back legs for big jumps. Some of them make music by rubbing their legs on their wings.

Lives in: Grasslands Read grasshopper facts