This species is the largest and most notable species of ant of Cuba. A. insularis is unique to Cuba, and has great polymorphism. Its workers specialize in different activities. The warriors have remarkably large heads.[citation needed]
They prefer to work at night, although they do by day, more if on cloudy days.[citation needed]
The nests are huge, and may comprise one or several mounds that can be spaced several metres apart. The height of the mound can sometimes exceed a metre. These nests in natural sites can be very durable, even more than 50 years.[citation needed]
This species is a pest of citrus, coffee,[2] and various Pinus species.[3]
Quantitative studies in the behaviour of A. insularis has been performed both in laboratory-controlled conditions,[4] and in
the wild.[5][6]
Fowler, H. G; Robinson, S. W. (1979). "Foraging by Atta sexdens (Formicidae: Attini): seasonal patterns caste and efficiency". Ecological Entomology. 4: 239–247. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1979.tb00581.x.
Fowler, H. G; Saes, N. B. (1986). "Dependence of the activity of grazing cattle on foraging grass-cutting ants (Atta spp.) in the southern neotropics". Journal of Applied Sciences Research. 101: 154–158. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0418.1986.tb00844.x.
