Leafcutter Ants Grow Fungus

You've probably seen recordings of leafcutter ants, which are native to southern climates and put on a spectacular performance. Large fragments of leaves will be carried by entire armies of them as they move through the forest floor. You might initially assume that the ants are eating the leaves they are carrying, but that is not the case. The leaves are more of a gift for their collaboration with the fungus that develops inside their own nests.

A leafcutter ant nest can span a significant area of land and include thousands of chambers. To fertilize their own small farm plots, they bring these leaves back home. The fungus that the ant larvae eat is grown on the leaves.The ants are so adept at growing this fungus that they remove trash and other decaying materials in addition to guarding them against predators and other pests.