The Leatfcutter Cultivation of Fungus

Brief description:

The Leafcutter ants build their fortress underground. They collect a kind of leaves (non-edible) in order to cultivate a species of fungus in their nest. The fungus has the ability to break down the toxins in the leaves, and in turn the fungus will swell with proteins and sugar. This swollen fungus which are rich in proteins and sugar is the food source of the leafcutter ants.

The ants and the fungus depend on each other for a living. Leafcutter ants see the fungus as a source of food. On the other hand, the fungus depend on the ants to bring in food for them (in this case, the leaves). The fungus also seek protection from the ants against a type of mould that will grow on the fungus and wipe them out.

Interestingly, the ants's body have bacteria to produce an antibiotics against the mould. The antibiotics supresses the growth of mould on their food source in the nest!