Farming Ants: Leafcutters and Fungus Growers
Hundreds of ant species live as farmers in the warmer regions of North and South America. These insects- a single evolutionary radiation- cultivate an edible fungus fed with bits of vegetative debris, or in the case of the leafcutter ants, with live vegetation.
An Acromyrmex echinatior leafcutter worker displays a microbial white patch on her underside made of Actinomyces bacteria. The bacteria are thought to produce antibiotics protecting the ants' fungus garden from infection- a true example of pesticide use among agricultural insects.
Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Wisconsin at Madison
An Acromyrmex echinatior leafcutter worker displays a microbial white patch on her underside made of Actinomyces bacteria. The bacteria are thought to produce antibiotics protecting the ants' fungus garden from infection- a true example of pesticide use among agricultural insects.
Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Wisconsin at Madison
Canon EOS 50D |
Original size: 4590x3090 |
Current: 800x539 |
